95 Quotes & Sayings By George Washington

To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.] George Washington

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. George Washington

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country? George Washington

Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. George Washington

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

In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy. George Washington

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. 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. George Washington

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life. (Address to Congress on Resigning Commission Dec 23, 1783) George Washington

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests. George Washington

I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built. George Washington

It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders. George Washington

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. George Washington

It is better to be alone than in bad company. George Washington

It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. George Washington

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. George Washington

Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other. George Washington

It is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. George Washington

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy George Washington

There might, Gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking notice, in this Address to you, of an anonymous production, but the manner in which that performance has been introduced to the army, the effect it was intended to have, together with some other circumstances, will amply justify my observations on the tendency of that Writing. With respect to the advice given by the Author, to suspect the Man, who shall recommend moderate measures and longer forbearance, I spurn it, as every Man, who regards liberty, and reveres that justice for which we contend, undoubtedly must; 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

LIBERTY, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. George Washington

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

Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights. George Washington

Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. George Washington

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. George Washington

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. George Washington

...do not spare any reasonable expense to come at early and true information; always recollecting, and bearing in mind, that vague and uncertain accounts of things [are]... more disturbing and dangerous than receiving none at all. George Washington

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. George Washington

The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to it animosity or two its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and it's interest. George Washington

But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. George Washington

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington

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

Actions not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends. George Washington

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

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. George Washington

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

It [gaming] is the child of avarice the brother of iniquity and the father of mischief. George Washington

Action not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends. George Washington

Government is not reason it is not eloquence - it is force. George Washington

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. George Washington

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

To persevere in one's duty and be silent is the best answer to calumny. George Washington

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. George Washington

I shall never ask never refuse nor ever resign an office. George Washington

My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution. George Washington

Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise. George Washington

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company. George Washington

Heaven itself has ordained the right. George Washington

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world - as far I mean as we are now at liberty to do it. George Washington

I beg leave to assure the Congress that no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness. I do not wish to make any profit from it. George Washington

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. George Washington

Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive. 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

To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. George Washington

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

War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will. George Washington

There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. George Washington

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. George Washington

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. George Washington

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

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. George Washington

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company. George Washington

Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair the rest is in the hands of God. George Washington

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. George Washington

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. George Washington

Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession. George Washington

There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard. George Washington

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light. George Washington

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

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

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

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

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government. George Washington

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. George Washington

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it. George Washington

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty. George Washington

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. George Washington

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company. George Washington

It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company. George Washington

Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals. George Washington

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. George Washington

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. George Washington