There are many ways to be, rather than to seem, and all of them demand honesty with oneself and with others. We may say, therefore, that honesty is among the fundamental traits of someone who seeks. Esse quam videri is a latin phrase meaning to be, rather than to seem.
Understanding the Context
it has been used as a motto by a number of different groups. Esse quam videri is found in cicero 's essay on friendship (laelius. The latin phrase esse quam videri, to be rather than to seem, was chosen as the north carolina state motto by jurist and historian walter clark.
