“Nil Sine Numine” has been Colorado’s motto since it was a territory. Though the exact meaning is unclear, it is generally translated as “Nothing Without Providence” or “Nothing Without the Deity.” However, u/wavinsnail had an easy time offering a new motto:

“The only thing higher than our residents [are] our mountains.”

With a motto that states, “It grows as it goes,” New Mexico might be due for an updated phrase. Here’s one option:

“For the hundredth time, you don’t need a passport to visit New Mexico.”

Arizona’s state motto is “God Enriches.” Residents had a few suggestions for new mottos, all related to weather. Notably, u/Revircs suggested:

“Your car will overheat before you start it.”

Indiana, known as “The Crossroads of America,” could update its motto to express this idea in new words:

“Thanks for driving through.”

Hawaii’s official state motto, “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono,” signifies “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” According to u/KK_Magic, a suggested updated motto could be:

“Tourism and Military is our economy.”

Despite Oklahoma’s attempt to adopt “In God We Trust” as its state motto in 2012, the words “Labor Omnia Vincit,” or “Labor Conquers All Things,” continue to appear on the state seal. For those considering an update, one option is:

“We’re as country and redneck as everyone thinks Texas is.”

Credited to patriot Algernon Sydney, Massachusetts’ motto reads, “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.” According to u/Dhaerrow, Massachusetts’ motto should reflect another facet of life:

“Even our taxes have taxes.”

Delaware’s official state motto is “Liberty and Independence,” but u/CowboysSB82Champs proposed an alternative viewpoint:

“You probably haven’t thought about us since geography class…”

Maine’s concise motto, “Dirigo,” which means “I direct” or “I guide,” is seen by u/SnugNuggo as needing additional words to fully capture what Maine represents:

“Pine trees, and lobster, that’s about it.”

The motto of New York state, “Excelsior,” translates to “Higher” in Latin. A modernized version would convey the sentiment that:

“We’re not just New York City!”

Iowa’s state motto is quite lengthy: “”Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain.” An alternative suggested by u/doctorgongora, while not shorter, takes a different approach:

“If you look closely through the corn, you can see we do have cities.”

Utah embraces “Industry” with its state motto, but Redditor u/lejefferson proposed an update that could better reflect the state’s essence:

“Where the religion is made up and the separation of church and state doesn’t matter.”

Kentucky’s motto, “United we stand, divided we fall,” is featured on both the state flag and seal. According to one Redditor, an updated version could be:

“Too northern to be southern, too southern to be northern.”

North Dakota’s motto, “Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable,” is a lengthy saying found on the state’s seal. Introducing a visual element to an update, u/UnKnown_potato suggested:

“So flat, you can watch your dog run away for two weeks straight. “

Texas’ official state motto, “Friendship,” was suggested for an update by one Redditor:

“The only thing bigger than our belt buckles and our cowboy hats is our egos.”

The official motto of Minnesota, “L’Étoile du Nord,” translates to “The Star of the North” in French. This geographical reference appears to inspire u/ClerkTheK1d’s proposed update:

“South Canada.”

“Montani Semper Liberi,” meaning “Mountaineers Are Always Free,” encapsulates the spirit of West Virginia. An updated version of the state motto would retain this essence while adding to its meaning.

“The mountains are beautiful. But good luck finding a decent job.”

“Forward” is the official state motto of Wisconsin, but updating it to reflect a sense of movement appears challenging.

“Come for the cheese and beer; stay because your car won’t start!”

Rhode Island’s motto is one word: “Hope.” One Redditor offered a two-word update:

“Don’t Blink.”

The official state motto of Florida, “In God We Trust,” includes God and was also suggested in updates, albeit in a different context:

“God’s Waiting Room.”

The state motto of Washington state, derived from the initial territorial seal, is “Alki” or “Al-ki,” a Native American word meaning “Bye and Bye.” When considering an update, Redditors were less concerned about formalizing a new motto and more focused on ensuring clarity:

“Washington: The State”

California placed “Eureka” on its state seal in 1849, a word referencing the discovery of gold. Redditors, however, suggested that highways should be incorporated into the state motto, proposing:

“Hope you like sitting in your car. ”

Connecticut’s state motto, translated as “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains,” is Qui Transtulit Sustinet. According to u/relaks, an updated version would be:

“We’re near New York and Boston.”

The official state motto, “Audemus jura nostra defendere,” translates to “We dare defend our rights.” According to u/Grimsterr, a better description would be:

“It’s 1950 somewhere.”

Montana’s state motto, “Oro y Plata,” which means “Gold and Silver” in Spanish, was reconsidered by u/1_2_um_12 to highlight the state’s vast open landscapes instead.

“No, you’re not there yet.”

“Esse Quam Videri,” or “To Be Rather Than to Seem,” a quote from Roman author Cicero, has been North Carolina’s motto since 1893. According to u/selfproclaimed, updating this classic motto looks like this:

“Come for the scenery; leave because of the people.

Oregon’s motto, “She Flies With Her Own Wings,” reflects its embrace of individualism. According to one Redditor, however, Oregon isn’t embracing much of anything:

“We were doing fine until you got here.”

Vermont has embraced “Freedom and Unity” as its state motto since 1788, but Redditors had different ideas about what would accurately capture the essence of Vermont:

“Thanks for visiting. Spend money. Now go home, okay?”

Louisiana is symbolized by “Union, Justice, Confidence” on its state flag and seal, but according to one Redditor, this cultural phenomenon better embodies the state:

“The further north you go the more southern it gets.”

New Hampshire’s state motto, “Live Free or Die,” is one of the better-known mottos in the country. While one Redditor didn’t see the need for an update, another suggested an alternative:

“Shop here for the no taxes, then leave.”

As suggested by u/TractorMan90, an updated rendition of South Dakota’s motto, “Under God the People Rule,” would be:

“We are more than just Mount Rushmore! We have… umm… cows?

“Equal Rights,” Wyoming’s state motto, reflects its constitutional history as the first state to grant equal voting and office-holding rights to women. An updated state motto that accurately represents Wyoming would be:

“Home of hostile winds and maybe some people somewhere.”

“Equality Before the Law” has been the state motto since the 1860s. According to one Redditor, an updated version of this motto would be:

“Footballs, drawls, and overalls.”

“Virtute et Armis,” or “By Valor and Arms,” is Mississippi’s motto. According to u/Lim-Plegs_McGee, an update took on a very different tone:

“Look, we get it – we suck… can you please pick on a different state?”

“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence” constitute Pennsylvania’s three-part motto. An updated version that maintains the same format could be:

“Pittsburgh on the left, Philadelphia on the right, and Tennessee in between.”

The motto “Fatti maschli parole femine,” meaning “Manly deeds, womanly words” in Italian, has been somewhat controversial. Suggestions like “strong deeds, gentle words” have also been made. According to u/I_Am_The_Mole, an updated motto should center around the state flag:

“LOOK AT OUR FLAG! LOOK AT IT! LOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKK!!!

Instead of the official state motto “Liberty and Prosperity” of New Jersey, an updated version could be:

“Where the weak are killed and eaten.”

While Alaska’s state motto conveys “North to the Future,” u/panda_vigilante proposed an alternative:

“The most beautiful state, and we’re trying to reverse that.”

Nevada adopted the state motto “All for Our Country” in 1866. According to a Redditor, an instructive motto for outsiders was proposed:

“Its Ne-VAD-a not Ne-VAH-da!”

“Regnat Populus,” or “The People Rule,” is Arkansas’s official motto. However, according to residents, a more accurate saying would reference the fact that:

“There’s nothing here.”

Adopted in 1861, Kansas’s state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” means “To the Stars Through Difficulties.” One Redditor thought this was a better representation:

“Come for the cow town, stay for the road hypnosis.”

With “Show Me State” appearing on its license plates, Missouri’s state motto is, “Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.” When updating the latter, u/AidenFelixis went for a pun:

“Missouri loves company!”

“Agriculture and Commerce” was officially adopted as its state motto in 1987. Redditor u/Dashx87 suggested an updated version:

“The great state of shooting stuff.”

Ohio adopted its state motto, “With God All Things Are Possible,” in 1959. Redditor u/EdgarFrogandSam suggested an updated version:

“With God, all things are possible, but not necessarily a good idea. “

Virginia’s motto, “Sic Semper Tyrannis” or “Thus Always to Tyrants,” has been in place since 1776. Redditors, defying the idea of an update, offered this instead:

“What part of the tyrant reference do you not understand?”

The official state motto of Georgia is “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.” However, u/dogsdawgs proposed an updated version:

“Probably not on anyone’s mind.”

Idaho’s state motto, “Esto Perpetua” (meaning “Be Eternal”), offers context for the updated version suggested by u/Neutralgoo:

“Yes we are a state.”

Michigan’s motto, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you,” celebrates its unique geography. However, one Redditor offered a much darker alternative:

“Half of it is Lead, Half of it is Dead.”

South Carolina’s state seal features numerous sayings, including its two mottos: “Dum Spiro Spero,” meaning “While I Breathe, I Hope,” and “Animis Opibusque Parati,” which translates to “Prepared in Mind and Resources.” The seal also includes palmetto trees, which u/ShinyKatana suggested could be part of the state’s updated motto:

“Where we worship palmetto trees. “