George Washington Quotes

Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.

We had quitters during the Revolution too...we called them 'Kentuckians.'

'Tis 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.

Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man grave settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not, at every turn, what others say.

There is nothing that gives a man consequence, and renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him independent of everybody but the State he serves.

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

I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.

The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreebly to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.

I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one's life, the foundation of happiness or misery.

The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.

..the establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive that induced me to the field of battle.

It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.

Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.

Life is always uncertain, and common prudence dictates to every man the necessity of settling his temporal concerns, while it is in his power, and while the mind is calm and undisturbed.

Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. - March 15, 1783

I can never think of promoting my convenience at the expense of a friend's interest and inclination.

We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.

[It] is the juvenal period of life when friendships are formed, and habits established, that will stick by one.

There was not a member of the Constitutional Convention who had the least objection to what is contended for by the advocates for a Bill of Rights and trial by jury.

[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.

I never have to grope for methods. The method is revealed at the moment I am inspired to create something new. Without God to draw aside the curtain I would be helpless.

No man has a more perfect reliance on the alwise and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have, nor thinks His aid more necessary.

It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.

The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded.

I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction.

Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of the heart.

The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.

May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence

I use no Porter ... in my family, but such as is made in America: both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality.

It gives me real concern to observe ... that you should think it necessary to distinguish between my personal and public character, and confine your esteem to the former.

The arrows of malevolence ... however barbed and well pointed, never can reach the most vulnerable part of me; though, whilst I am up as a mark, they will be continually aimed.

Though, when a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes.

I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; and little or no diplomatic establishment

Being a politician makes your hair turn white.

The United States enjoy a scene of prosperity and tranquility under the new government that could hardly have been hoped for.

An ambassador has no need of spies; his character is always sacred.

I wish to walk in such a line as will give most general satisfaction.

We should amuse our evening hours of life in cultivating the tender plants, and bringing them to perfection, before they are transplanted to a happier clime.

To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff.

Extensive powers not exercised as far as was necessary have, I believe, scarcely ever failed to ruin the possessor.

To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.

Submit your sentiments with diffidence. A dictatorial style, though it may carry conviction, is always accompanied with disgust.

It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.

Everybody knows the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.

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

It is one of the evils of democratical governments, that the people, not always seeing and frequently misled, must often feel before they can act.

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.

The Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings and successes.

Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.

I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery.