George Washington Quotes (182 Quotes)

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.

used solely for the purpose of encouraging American genius.

Why would the president bring this up It's a difficult issue, may cause us to have to make a tough vote.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.

When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the following order The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing a vice little known heretofore in the American army is growing into fashion. Let the men and officers reflect 'that we can not hope for the blessing of heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly.'

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.

To err is natural to rectify error is glory.

As the issue was being debated, George Washington wrote to Lafayette in Paris with the observation that It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national government, so little liable to well founded objections.. ... We are not to expect perfection in this world.

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

I never mean (unless some particular circumstances should compel me to it) to possess another slave by purchase it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this country may be abolished by slow, sure, and imperceptib

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.

When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.

A peace establishment ought always to have two objects in view the one, present security of posts and of stores, and the public tranquillity the other, to be prepared, if the latter is impracticable, to resist with efficacy the sudden attempts of a

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

There is no restraining men's tongues or pens when charged with a little vanity

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master.

Avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, we should remember also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it

After Braddock's Defeat Terror in the Valley.

It is my most ardent desire, not only to soften the inevitable calamities of war, but even to introduce on every occasion as great a share of tenderness and humanity, as can possibly be exercised in a state of hostility

If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism, if to be beloved for philanthropy, can gratify the human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation to know that you have not lived in vain.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

Precedents are dangerous things let the rein of government then be braced and held with a steady hand

I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.

The power of making war often prevents it, and in our case would give efficacy to our desire of peace

We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture

I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to Anarchy or Despotism.