100 Quotes by George Washington
George Washington, the first President of the United States, stands as a foundational figure in American history. His leadership during the American Revolutionary War earned him the title of the "Father of His Country." Washington's unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty and his role in guiding the nation through its early years helped shape the course of American democracy. His decision to voluntarily relinquish power after two terms as president set a precedent for peaceful transitions of power and established the principle of limited presidential terms. Washington's leadership qualities, including his humility, integrity, and willingness to serve the greater good, have left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire leaders and citizens alike.
George Washington Quotes
When there is no vision, there is no hope. (Meaning)
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light. (Quote Meaning)
The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. (Meaning)
Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society. (Quote Meaning)
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. (Meaning)
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves. (Quote Meaning)
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy. (Meaning)
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. (Quote Meaning)
We must consult our means rather than our wishes. (Meaning)
It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones. (Quote Meaning)
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. (Meaning)
The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy. (Quote Meaning)
Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man (Meaning)
True friendship is a plant of slow growth. (Quote Meaning)
Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. (Meaning)
Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust. (Quote Meaning)
Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy. (Meaning)
Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho' they differ in shape. (Quote Meaning)
I heard the bullets whistle-- and believe me, there is something charming in the sound. (Meaning)
Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? (Quote Meaning)
If you can't send money, send tobacco. (Meaning)
Honesty is always the best policy. (Quote Meaning)
All I am I owe to my mother. (Meaning)
I die hard but am not afraid to go. (Quote Meaning)
A passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils (Meaning)
Real men despise battle, but will never run from it. (Quote Meaning)
[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. (Meaning)
Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive. (Quote Meaning)
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen. (Meaning)
As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. (Quote Meaning)
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it. (Meaning)
If you can't sent money, send tobacco. (Quote Meaning)
When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered. (Meaning)
It is our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. (Quote Meaning)
Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.
The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth.
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.
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...
I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.
But if the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government, and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected thereafter.
What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.
Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your strength.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
Be Americans. Let there be no sectionalism, no North, South, East or West. You are all dependent on one another and should be one in union. In one word, be a nation. Be Americans, and be true to yourselves.
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your reputation. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth, and pursue it steadily. Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy nation.
I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them.
A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass.
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.
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.
Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
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.
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 to implore his protection and favors.
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.
Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
Freemasonry is an institution founded on eternal reason and truth; whose deep basis is the civilization of mankind, and whose everlasting glory it is to have the immovable support of those two mighty pillars, science and morality.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Experience has taught us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession, and when the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
All Freemasonry should be disbanded in America because our organization has been infiltrated by the Illuminati and they have bad intention for America and the World.
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.
The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained...
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.
99% of failures come from people who make excuses.
Good moral character is the first essential in a man.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite.
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury.
Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.
Paper money has had the effect in your State that it ever will have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open a door to every species of fraud and injustice.
The executive branch of this government never has, nor will suffer, while I preside, any improper conduct of its officers to escape with impunity.
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.
One's god dictates the kind of law one implements and also controls the application and development of that law over time. Given enough time, all non-Christian systems of law self-destruct in a fit of tyranny.
the harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake.
The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
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?
When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.
If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst.
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all maters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.
The views of men can only be known, or guessed at, by their words or actions.
One of the difficulties in bringing about change in an organization is that you must do so through the persons who have been most successful in that organization, no matter how faulty the system or the organization is. To such persons, you see, it is the best of all possible organizations, because look who was selected by it ad look who succeeded most in it. Yet, these are the very people through whom we must bring about improvements.
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.
History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.
When there is no vision, there is no hope.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
We must consult our means rather than our wishes.
It's only natural for unbridled partisanship, unrestrained by allegiance to a greater cause, to lead to chaos.
The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.
To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
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.
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.
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.
It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.
Character enough of an opposite description ... My opinion is ... that you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this Country.
It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.
Freedom and Property Rights are inseparable. You can't have one without the other.
In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God and guide this day and forever for His sake, who lay down in the grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can exist apart from religious principle.
A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.
It is incumbent upon every person of every description to contribute to his country's welfare.
The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can, and undoubtedly will, be recalled.
There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money; for when money can be had in this way, repayment is seldom thought of in time, the interest becomes a loss, exertions to raise it by dent of industry cease, it comes easy and is spent freely, and many things (are) indulged in that would never be thought of if (they were) to be purchased by the sweat of the brow.
At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation; and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.
If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
Let us with Caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.
Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
Precedents are dangerous things; let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.
It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.
It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.
There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money
To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones.
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.
The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy.
Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there.
Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.
Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are fighting for the blessings of liberty.
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.
Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?
Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word...direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land.
A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.
No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.
It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.
We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.
Have the strength to be an honest person.
The finite mind of man can never grasp the mysteries of the infinite. It is the highest wisdom, as it is our great happiness, to accept our limitations, to use what we have, and leave the rest to God.
If we mean to support the liberty and independence which has cost us so much blood and treasure to establish, we must drive far away the demon of party spirit and local reproach.
Much indeed to be regretted, party disputes are now carried to such a length, and truth is so enveloped in mist and false representation, that it is extremely difficult to know through what channel to seek it. This difficulty to one, who is of no party, and whose sole wish is to pursue with undeviating steps a path which would lead this country to respectability, wealth, and happiness, is exceedingly to be lamented. But such, for wise purposes, it is presumed, is the turbulence of human passions in party disputes, when victory more than truth is the palm contended for.
Freemasonry is an order whose leading star is philanthropy and whose principles inculcate an unceasing devotion to the cause of virtue and morality.
A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove.
There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily
Great people are not affected by each puff of wind that blows ill. Like great ships, they sail serenely on, in a calm sea or a great tempest.
Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism . . .
The best means of forming a manly, virtuous, and happy people will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail.
If the minority, and a small one too, is suffered to dictate to the majority, after measures have undergone the most solemn discussions by the representatives of the people, and their will through this medium is enacted into a law, there can be no security for life, liberty, or property; nor, if the laws are not to govern, can any man know how to conduct himself in safety.
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention.
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.
The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.
The spirit of party serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
The best and only safe road to honor, glory, and true dignity is justice.
It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being. Religion is as necessary to reason, as reason is to religion.
You have only one way to convince others, listen to them.
Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly.
― George Washington Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
