esse quam videri

American  

[es-se kwahm wi-de-ree, es-ee kwam vi-dair-ahy] / ˈɛs sɛ kwɑm ˈwɪ dɛ ri, ˈɛs i kwæm vɪˈdɛər aɪ /

Latin.

1. to be rather than to seem: motto of North Carolina.

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Example Sentences

The principle of esse quam videri, and the carelessness about names when the thing is unaffected, generally speaking, must command praise and respect.

From Autobiographical Sketches by De Quincey, Thomas

Malo esse quam videri ought to be the constant maxim of all those, who are called to serve so fine a cause as that of the American Union.

From The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IX by Sparks, Jared