Animus in consulendo liber (Latin: "A mind unfettered in deliberation") is themotto of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[1] The phrase is fromThe Conspiracy of Catiline (52.21) by the Roman historianSallust, and was translated byCharles Anthon as "a mind unfettered in deliberation".[2]
The motto was chosen by the dean of the NATO Council,André de Staercke [de;fr], to reflect the spirit of consultation envisioned by the then-Secretary General of NATOPaul-Henri Spaak.[1] De Staercke borrowed the quote when he recalled his visit to the Palace of the Chief Magistrate inSan Gimignano, where "animus in consulendo liber" was engraved on the Magistrate's seat.[1] The motto is displayed on the wall of the main council room atNATO headquarters inBrussels, behind the chairman's seat.[1]
The motto's original context bySallust, who citesCato the Younger's address to theRoman Senate, is: "But there were other qualities which made them [our forefathers] great, which we do not possess at all: efficiency at home, a just rule abroad, in counsel an independent spirit free from guilt or passion".[3]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) In Latin,sed alia fuere, quae illos magnos fecere, quae nobis nulla sunt: domi industria, foris iustum imperium, animus in consulendo liber, neque delicto neque lubidini obnoxius.