DUM SPIRO SPERO State Motto T-Shirt

While I love many things about the state of South Carolina, the latin motto is near the top of the list.  DUM SPIRO SPERO, “While I breathe, I hope”.  I have modified this slightly for my own motto – DUM SPIRO CREO, “While I breathe, I create”.

The motto is more than a catchy phrase, though.  South Carolina’s use dates back to the Revolutionary War, and when you recall the history of our own palmetto tree in defending Fort Sullivan (Moultrie) from the Brits, you can begin to glimpse the power of this simple phrase.  While there is breath, there is hope yet.

The phrase, however, dates back even further.  This is debatable, but it is likely that this latin phrase was originally derived from Ecclesiastes 9:4, where Solomon tells us “But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.”  While we hold breath, the hope of turning to Christ glimmers.  When that last breath is breathed, though, this hope dies.  Would it be that all might reflect on this and turn to the Lord for a sure salvation!