NATO's Motto: 'Animus in consulendo liber' - Origin and Significance (nato.int)

• NATO's motto 'animus in consulendo liber' translates to 'in discussion a free mind'.
• Proposed by André de Staercke, inspired by a maxim of Cato the Elder seen in San Gimignano.
• Displayed at NATO headquarters since 1959, moved from Paris to Brussels.

"The article details the origin of NATO's motto 'animus in consulendo liber', meaning 'in discussion a free mind'. Proposed by Belgian representative André de Staercke, it derives from a maxim by Roman censor Cato the Elder. The motto was installed at NATO's Paris headquarters in 1959 to emphasize open consultation among allies. It has since been displayed at subsequent NATO headquarters, including the current Brussels building, and also adopted by Paris IX Dauphine University."