Motto

A motto or maxim was a saying selected by an individual, group or organization to define their mission or worldview.

Maxims

When Jack London conferred with Samuel Clemens about being literary partners in writing his life story in 1893, Clemens shared with London, "Young man, I have a maxim that I have always lived by. 'No one is more qualified to write your story than you are,'" further adding, "As long as you write what you know." (TNG: "Time's Arrow, Part II")

Mottoes

"Infinite diversity in infinite combinations" was a Vulcan motto. (ENT: "The Andorian Incident")

According to Doctor Leonard McCoy, when treating a new, unfamiliar species, "When in doubt, the book prevails..." (TOS: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield")

According to the Minosian peddler hologram, the motto of Minos was "peace through superior firepower". (TNG: "The Arsenal of Freedom")

Worf's philosophy, when preparing to beam onto (what was believed to be) the bridge of the USS Yamato, was that they beam in near the aft station, citing, "When in doubt, surprise them." The puzzled William T. Riker, asked "Them? Who's them?" Leaving Worf to respond, "Whoever may be there." (TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease")

According to Grand Nagus Zek, "when in doubt, be ruthless." (DS9: "The Nagus")

Prior to becoming a tailor, Garak lived by the motto, "Never let sentiment get in the way of your work." He felt it was a cliché, but a true one. (DS9: "Profit and Loss")

In 2373, Doctor Julian Bashir adopted the motto, "Show no fear", when moving through the Klingon presence on Deep Space 9's Promenade. (DS9: "Apocalypse Rising")

The Cardassian Third Battalion's motto was "Death to all." Later in 2373, Crewman Pechetti warned fellow DS9 visitors to Empok Nor of that ominous fact after hearing that two of the battalion's members were loose on the station. (DS9: "Empok Nor")

The motto of the Jem'Hadar soldiers was "Obedience Brings Victory, and Victory is Life." (DS9: "To the Death", "By Inferno's Light", "Rocks and Shoals", "One Little Ship") The Female Changeling shared with Breen Thot Gor that "Our brave Jem'Hadar soldiers have a motto: "Victory is Life."" It was a motto Gor was familiar with, and one that the Female Changeling said, "today, those words have meaning for us all. The outcome of this battle will determine the outcome of the war. Either we destroy their invasion forces or they destroy us. There is no other option." (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

External links

• Maxim at Wikipedia
• Motto at Wikipedia