George Washington Quotes on Man (10 Quotes)

I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.

Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson His mind was great and powerful ... as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion.... Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once decided, going through his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was the most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known.... He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man ... On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect ... it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great....

When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

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.

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.

While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only in this case they are answerable

No man is a warmer advocate for proper restraints and wholesome checks in every department of government than I am but I have never yet been able to discover the propriety of placing it absolutely out of the power of men to render essential services.

Among individuals, the most certain way to make a Man your Enemy, is to tell him you esteem him such so with public bodies

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.'