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
To admit then a right in the House of Representatives to demand, and to have as a matter of course, all the Papers respecting a negotiation with a foreign power, would be to establish a dangerous precedent. It does not occur that the inspection of the papers asked for, can be relative to any purpose under the cognizance of the House of Representatives, except that of an impeachment, which the resolution has not expressed. I repeat, that I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed: and in fact, all the Papers affecting the negotiation with Great Britain were laid before the Senate, when the Treaty itself was communicated for their consideration and advice. The course which the debate has taken, on the resolution of the House, leads to some observations on the mode of making treaties under the Constitution of the United States.
—George Washington
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
To morrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public Thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutely to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us. The General directs that the army remain in its present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and brigades. And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensibly necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day.
—George Washington
Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters let it be somewhat grave.
—George Washington
Topics: Manners
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
Truth will ultimately prevail where there are plans taken to bring it to light.
—George Washington
Topics: Truth
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
—George Washington
Topics: War, Peace
You will therefore send me none but Natives, and Men of some property, if you have them.
—George Washington
At a distance from the theater of action, truth is not always related without embellishment.
—George Washington
Action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
—George Washington
Topics: Inaction, Friendship, Procrastination, Getting Going
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
—George Washington
Topics: Success
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
For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.
—George Washington
For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.
—George Washington
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 too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.
—George Washington
Topics: Ethics
Labor to keep alive that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
—George Washington
Topics: Conscience, Wisdom, Character
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
—George Washington
My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.
—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
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
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
My temper leads me to peace and harmony with all men; and it is peculiarly my wish to avoid any personal feuds or dissensions with those, who are embarked in the same great national interest with myself, as every difference of this kind in its consequence must be very injurious.
—George Washington
Topics: Harmony
I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.
—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
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
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
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
Ronald Reagan American Head of State
Robert E. Lee American Military General
Ulysses S. Grant American Head of State
James A. Garfield American Head of State
Dwight D. Eisenhower American Head of State
George H. W. Bush American Head of State