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is a Latin passage and the official motto of the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The phrase is often loosely translated into English as "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." The literal translation, however, is "she seeks with the sword peaceful repose under liberty." The "she" in question refers to the word ''manus'' from the full phrase , which means "this hand, an enemy to tyrants, seeks with the sword peaceful repose under liberty."
It was written by the English soldier-statesman Algernon Sidney, who was an opponent of Charles II of England, Charles II and who was later executed for treason. The motto was first adopted in 1775 by the Massachusetts General Court (the official name of the state legislature) and applied to the temporary seal of Massachusetts. On December 13, 1780, the legislature approved its application to the current Great Seal of Massachusetts.
The History of the Arms and Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem Latin mottos State mottos of the United States Symbols of Massachusetts Peace in culture Liberty symbols
is a Latin passage and the official motto of the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The phrase is often loosely translated into English as "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." The literal translation, however, is "she seeks with the sword peaceful repose under liberty." The "she" in question refers to the word ''manus'' from the full phrase , which means "this hand, an enemy to tyrants, seeks with the sword peaceful repose under liberty."
It was written by the English soldier-statesman Algernon Sidney, who was an opponent of Charles II of England, Charles II and who was later executed for treason. The motto was first adopted in 1775 by the Massachusetts General Court (the official name of the state legislature) and applied to the temporary seal of Massachusetts. On December 13, 1780, the legislature approved its application to the current Great Seal of Massachusetts.
See also
*List of Massachusetts state symbols *Flag of Massachusetts *List of U.S. state and territory mottosReferences
* Crampton, William G. ''Webster's Concise Encyclopedia of Flags & Coats of Arms.'' Crescent Books: 1985. . * Zieber, Eugene, ''Heraldry in America: The Civic Armorial Bearings of American States.'' Greenwich House: 1976.External links
The History of the Arms and Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem Latin mottos State mottos of the United States Symbols of Massachusetts Peace in culture Liberty symbols