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
I hope I shall 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: Wisdom, Integrity, Honesty, Virtues
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
—George Washington
Topics: Success
Government is not mere advice; it is authority, with power to enforce its laws.
—George Washington
Topics: Government
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean i. e. , comport ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.
—George Washington
Someday, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.
—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
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
—George Washington
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship, Friends, Difficulty
Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men, any more than fine feathers make fine birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired, obtains more credit in the eyes of the judicious and sensible.
—George Washington
Topics: Style
To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.
—George Washington
Topics: Letters
Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.
—George Washington
Topics: Insults
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
It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective Constitutional Spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department to encroach upon another.
—George Washington
Topics: Government
You will therefore send me none but Natives, and Men of some property, if you have them.
—George Washington
Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters let it be somewhat grave.
—George Washington
Topics: Manners
I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.
—George Washington
Enjoin this upon the Officers, and let them inculcate, and press home to the Soldiery, the Necessity of Order and Harmony among them, who are embarkd in one common Cause, and mutually contending for all that Freeman sic hold dear. I am persuaded, if the Officers will but exert themselves, these Animosities, this Disorder, will in a great Measure subside, and nothing being more essential to the Service than that it should, I am hopeful nothing on their Parts will be wanting to effect it.
—George Washington
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
—George Washington
Topics: Mothers Day, Mothers, Family
Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of the heart.
—George Washington
Topics: Liberty
Nothing short of self-respect and that justice which is essential to a national character ought to involve us in war; for sure I am, if this country is preserved in tranquillity twenty years longer, it may bid defiance, in a just cause, to any power.
—George Washington
Topics: Self Respect
If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
—George Washington
It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.
—George Washington
Topics: Greatness
Experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing Constitution of a country.
—George Washington
Topics: Experience
It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.
—George Washington
Topics: Evil
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
—George Washington
Topics: Defense
It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.
—George Washington
I have beheld no day since the commencement of hostilities that I have thought her liberties in such eminent danger as at present. Friends and foes seem now to combine to pull down the goodly fabric as we have hitherto been raising at the expence of so much time, blood, and treasure; and unless the bodies politick will exert themselves to bring things back to first principles, correct abuses, and punish our internal foes, inevitable ruin must follow.
—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
The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded. Their indiscriminate violence prostrates for the time all public authority, and its consequences are sometimes extensive and terrible.
—George Washington
Topics: Tyranny
The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall wellcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.
—George Washington
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Thomas Jefferson American Head of State
- John Adams American Head of State
- Andrew Jackson American Head of State
- Jimmy Carter American Head of State
- James Madison American Statesman, President
- Ronald Reagan American Head of State
- Robert E. Lee American Military General
- Ulysses S. Grant American Head of State
- Herbert Hoover American Statesman
- James A. Garfield American Head of State
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