The motto "Liberté, Equalité, Fraternité", was originally intended to unite and inspire revolutionaries. The three ideals: freedom, equality and brotherhood were the foundation of the 'new France' that the revolutionaries sought.
"Or death" was added from 1793, with the full motto often painted on house doors in Paris.
Whether "and", or, "or", this part of the motto demonstrated the resolve of the revolutionaries. Along the same lines as the proverb "better to die on your feet then live on your knees". The motto stated that without basic freedoms and rights, there was no reason to live. Furthermore, the revolutionaries would die in order for their neighbours to share those same rights.
This final section was discouraged, as it was a stark reminder of The Terror - the bloodiest period of the revolution.
The motto (with the reference to death removed) is now inscribed on public buildings, and was written into the Constitution in 1946 and 1958.
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