Skip to content

Men's minds are as variant as their faces. Where the motives of their actions are pure, the operation of the former is no more to be imputed to them as a crime, than the appearance of the latter; for both, being the work of nature, are alike unavoidable.

— George Washington

Another quote →

Topics

Motivational

More quotes by George Washington

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

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.

Farewell Address (1796)

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

Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.

Farewell Address (1796)

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

All George Washington quotes →

You may also like

In the eye of that Supreme Being to whom our whole internal frame is uncovered, dispositions hold the place of actions.

Hugh Blair Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)

It is not for human judgment to dive into the heart of man, to know whether his intentions are good or evil.

Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon Case of John Lambert and others (1793)

The plaintiff cannot dive into the secret recesses of his (the defendant's) heart.

John Romilly, 1st Baron Romilly In Re Ward (1862)

Iago's soliloquy—the motive-hunting of a motiveless malignity—how awful it is!

Samuel Taylor Coleridge Lectures and Notes on Shakespeare and Other English Poets (1811)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: George Washington (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.