George Washington Quotes
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A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle... Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.
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Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence . . . the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake.
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While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only in this case are they answerable.
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What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.
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Though, when a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes.
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Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
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The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.
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My manner of living is plain. I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready; and such as will be content to partake of them are always welcome. Those, who expect more, will be disappointed, but no change will be effected by it.
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Father I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet.
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An aching head and trembling limbs, which are the inevitable effects of drinking, disincline the hands from work.
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I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concerns of another; that every one had a right to form and adopt whatever government they liked best to live under themselves.
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Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause: And I was not without hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy of ⟨the present⟩ age would have put an effectual stop to contentions of this Kind.
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Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of every one, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the estimation of the widow's mite, but, that it is not every one who asketh that deserveth charity; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer.
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Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force...Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
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To cash paid for saddlery, a letter case, maps, glasses, etc etc etc. for the use of my Command: 29 pounds 13 shillings and sixpence... To Mrs Washington's travelling expenses in coming to and returning from my winter quarters, the money to defray that taken from my private purse: 1064 pounds, one shilling.
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It is in vain, I perceive, to look for ease and happiness in a world of troubles.
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The fundamental principle of our constitution ... enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail.
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I will move gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my fathers.
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Being a politician makes your hair turn white.
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I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one's life, the foundation of happiness or misery.
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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.
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Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.
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I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree.
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Merit rarely goes unrewarded.