George Washington Quotes
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It is . . . the citizens choice, and depends upon their conduct, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptable and miserable as a Nation. This is the time of their political probation; this is the moment when the eyes of the World are turned upon them.
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Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.
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I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him.
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My opinion with respect to immigration is, that except of useful mechanics and some particular description of men and professions, there is no use of encouragement.
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Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
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Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
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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.
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I use no Porter ... in my family, but such as is made in America: both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality.
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The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.
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The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing...is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.
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Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind.
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Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
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Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man
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Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil morality.
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The situation of the general government, if it can be called a government, is shaken to its foundation, and liable to be overturned by every blast.
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Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppresive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.
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A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
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It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.
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The advancement of agriculture, commerce and manufactures, by all proper means, will not, I trust, need recommendation. But I cannot forbear intimating to you the expediency of giving effectual encouragement as well to the introduction of new and useful inventions from abroad, as to the exertions of skill and genius in producing them at home.
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We had quitters during the Revolution too...we called them 'Kentuckians.'
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My death has not yet quite arrived, but it is near and inevitable as night follows day.
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You will permit me to say, that a greater drama is now acting on this theatre than has heretofore been brought on the American tage, or any other in the world. We exhibit at present the novel and astonishing spectacle of a whole people deliberating calmly on what form of government will be most conducive to their happiness; and deciding with an unexpected degree of unanimity in favour of a system which they conceive calculated to answer the purpose.
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It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.
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We should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn.