motto
/ˈmɒtəʊ/noun
(pl. -oes或-os)
1- a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution座右铭, 格言：
the family motto is 'Faithful though Unfortunate'.
这家人的格言是“虽则不幸, 忠诚依旧”。
1.1
- Music a phrase which recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolical significance【乐】警句, 格言主题。
词源
late 16th cent.: from Italian， 'word'.