George Washington on Freedom
1732–1799 United States
← All quotes by George Washington
5 quotes
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
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.
Farewell Address (1796)
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
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.
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy, to deny a man the liberty he hath by nature upon a supposition that he may abuse it.
Misattributed