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George Washington Quotes
1732–1799 United States
George Washington (22 February 1732 – 14 December 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Second Continental Congress as commander of the Continental Army in June 1775, Washington led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War and then served as president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted and ratified the Constitution of the United States and established the American federal government.
United States Activists Episcopalians Military leaders Non-fiction authors Also known as: General George Washington, General Washington, President George Washington, Washington, George
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154 quotes
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation.
I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.
Farewell Address (1796)
Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive. And with it, everything honorable and glorious.
The unfortunate condition of the persons, whose labour in part I employed, has been the only unavoidable subject of regret.
We have abundant reason to rejoice, that, in this land, the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart.
Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.
When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.
To be prepared for war is onto the most effectual means of preserving peace.
It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.
Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.
Parade with me my brave fellows, we will have them soon!
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.
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.
Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.
Farewell Address (1796)
A great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle [patriotism] alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.
There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.
I am principled against this kind of traffic in the human species.
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.
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.
To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Government for the whole is indispensable.
Farewell Address (1796)
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