Phaleristics

thumb|Logo of the French Republic "", French for "liberty, equality, fraternity" A motto (derived from the Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organization. Mottos (or mottoes) are usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans, which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution. One's motto may be in any language, b

thumb|200px|Soviet and Ukrainian medals from the Historical Museum of the Donetsk militsiya|police