Dum spiro spero

Dum spiro spero means "While I breathe, I hope" in Latin and is generally attributed to Cicero.

It is a motto of various places and families.

States and Towns

• The notable origin of the motto is St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Its attribution to Saint Andrew and his bones being taken to this small fishing village on the North Sea, contributed to its direct linkage between the saying, the town, the University of St Andrews and the Saint.

• It is also the state motto of South Carolina, adopted in 1776. On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina set up an independent government, and the motto formed a part of official great seal, created by W. H. Drayton.

• Dum Spiro Spero was the state motto for the Kingdom of Sarawak.

• Dum Spiro Spero is the motto of the Principality of Hutt River, and appears on their coat of arms.

• Dum Spiro Spero is the motto of Burstow Park House, in Surrey England and also appear on their coat of arms.

Families

Dum spiro spero is the family motto of numerous families worldwide, including:

• the Olphert family (Ballyconnell, Ireland) The motto and the family coat of arms is still visible above the door at Ballyconnell House, Donegal [1]

In Entertainment

Usage In Literature

In Jules Verne's novel In Search of the Castaways, the character Jacques Paganel quotes it (shortened into "Spiro Spero") as his personal motto.

Usage In TV

The motto is seen tattooed on Lucas North's shoulders, a character from the BBC show Spooks.

Usage In Romans

It is written on an old castle's ruins in the key scene of William Styron's Set this house on fire.

Usage in games

It is also used in the soundtrack of the horror game Clive Barker's Undying.

Usage in comics

Seen on the last page of The Mighty Thor #157, the first conclusion of the Mangog storyline.

Usage in music

• The phrase is used as the title for a concert band work by composer Chris Pilsner
• Dum Spiro Spero is the title of the eighth album by Japanese rock band Dir En Grey.

• "Dum Spiro Spero" is the title of a song by David J Roch from his EP "This Is For You Whether I Have Met You Or Not" 2011.
• "Dum Spiro Spero" is the title of a track by Australian band The Daylight Curse from the album "While I Breathe I Hope" 2003.