George Washington (1732–99) was an American political leader and military general. This “Father of the Country” led the United States during its formative days, including as the head of the Patriot forces in the American Revolutionary War 1775–83 and as its president 1789–97.
Born in Bridges Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Washington was reputed for his honesty, patience, and shrewdness. The tale of his honest confession to cutting down a cherry tree (“I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet”) is likely a fabrication of his first biographer Mason Weems, author or The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington (1809.)
Washington served as Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, the American and French forces that won the American War of Independence. He kept his army together through the winter of 1777–78 at Valley Forge near Philadelphia, and won the decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. In 1787, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia that drafted the American Constitution and was unanimously elected president.
In his two terms as president, Washington followed a policy of neutrality in international affairs and expansion on the domestic front. He declined a third term as president and retired to his family estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
John R. Alden’s George Washington: A Biography (1984) narrates the interconnected histories of Washington and America. Washington Irving wrote the acclaimed The Life of George Washington (5 vols., 1855–59.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George Washington
Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.
—George Washington
Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power
—George Washington
Topics: Experience
The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.
—George Washington
Topics: Justice
It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.
—George Washington
We must never despair, our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better, so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.
—George Washington
It is impossible to govern the world without God. He must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligation.
—George Washington
Topics: God
‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
—George Washington
Topics: Community
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
—George Washington
Such is the turbulence of human passions in party disputes, when victory more than truth is contended for, that the post of honor is a private station.
—George Washington
Topics: Party
To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.
—George Washington
Topics: Letters
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
—George Washington
Topics: War, Peace
While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.
—George Washington
Topics: Religion, Government
The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this armyOur cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; that is all we can expectWe have therefore to resolve to conquer or die.
—George Washington
Topics: Freedom
To constitute a dispute there must be two parties. To understand it well, both parties and all the circumstances must be fully heard; and to accommodate the differences, temper and mutual forbearance are requisite.
—George Washington
It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.
—George Washington
Topics: Greatness
Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.
—George Washington
Topics: Insults
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
—George Washington
Topics: The Military, Army, Soldiers, Navy
It is among the evils, and perhaps not the smallest, of democratic governments, that the people must feel before they will see.—When this happens, they are roused to action.—Hence it is that those kinds of government are too slow.
—George Washington
Topics: Government
Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of the heart.
—George Washington
Topics: Liberty
Providence has done, and I am persuaded is disposed to do, a great deal for us; but we are not to forget the fable of Jupiter and the countryman.
—George Washington
Topics: Self-reliance
Republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination.—On the contrary, under no form of government are laws better supported, liberty and property better secured, or happiness more effectually dispensed to mankind.
—George Washington
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
—George Washington
Topics: Peace, Harmony
The aggregate happiness of society, which is best promoted by the practise of a virtuous policy, is, or ought to be, the end of all government.
—George Washington
Topics: Government
Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is, an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peacethe next will be drawn in blood.
—George Washington
I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.
—George Washington
Topics: Farming
I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an “Honest Man.”
—George Washington
Topics: Honesty
Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.
—George Washington
Topics: Friendship
Sleep not when others speak,
sit not when others stand,
speak not when you should hold your peace,
walk not when others stop.
—George Washington
Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.
—George Washington
Topics: Army, Discipline
Truth will ultimately prevail where there are plans taken to bring it to light.
—George Washington
Topics: Truth
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