George Washington Quotes, Status, and Thoughts

In executing the duties of my present important station, I can promise nothing but purity of intentions, and, in carrying these into effect, fidelity and diligence.

To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.

If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst.

The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.

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

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones.

Have the strength to be an honest person.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.

It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.

Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.

It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.

In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.

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

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.

The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.

History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.

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

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

The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth.

We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.

Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.

A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass.

It is impossible to govern the world without God. It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits and humbly implore his protection and favor.

Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.

Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.

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

Its better to live alone than to live in a bad company.

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

Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do—then do it with all your strength.

Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.

Do not suffer your good nature […] to say yes when you ought to say no; remember that it is a public not a private cause that is to be injured or benefitted by your choice.

Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness.

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

Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad Company.

Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.

[T]he gradual extension of our settlements will as certainly cause the savage, as the wolf, to retire; both being beasts of prey, though they differ in shape.

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.

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

If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens.

The great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.

Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.

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

George Washington famously warned against … ‘ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.

Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.

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

I’ll die on my feet before I’ll live on my knees!

Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process.

Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.

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

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

We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed… we must bear the present evils and fortitude…

Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.

A bad war is fought with a good mind.

99% percent of failures are the ones who make excuses.

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

[Death] … the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return.

Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy.

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.

No punishment, in my opinion, is to great, for the man who can build his greatness upon his country’s ruin.

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.

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.

Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone.

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

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

To persevere in one’s duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny

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

We must consult our means rather than our wishes.

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

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

To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.

Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?

Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice.

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

The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.

Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.

The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.

A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.

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.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

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

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

99% of failures come from people who make excuses.

Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation.

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.

It is better to be alone than in bad company.

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

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.