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

Tonya Council, a Chapel Hill, N.C., baker who happens to be a granddaughter of the late culinary legend Mama Dip, was struck by the contrast between all the public statements and list-making versus North Carolina’s state motto: “Esse quam videri,” Latin for “to be rather than to seem.”

From Washington Post

The House voted 95-14 on Thursday for the mandate for “In God We Trust” and the North Carolina motto, which is “Esse Quam Videri” in Latin, or “To Be Rather Than To Seem” in English.

From Seattle Times

His sayings are repeated year after year, including North Carolina's state motto, "Esse quam videri," or "To be, rather than to seem."

From New York Times

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 Project Gutenberg

"Maluit esse quam videri bonus."

From Project Gutenberg