George Washington Quotes
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We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.
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It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.
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Providence has done, and I am persuaded is disposed to do, a great deal for us; but we are not to forget the fable of Jupiter and the countryman.
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I am once more seated under my own vine and fig tree ... and hope to spend the remainder of my days in peaceful retirement, making political pursuits yield to the more rational amusement of cultivating the earth.
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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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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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I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him.
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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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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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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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The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded. Their indiscriminate violence prostrates for the time all public authority, and its consequences are sometimes extensive and terrible.
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Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind: for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved.
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There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
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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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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 United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy.
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Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
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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.
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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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My death has not yet quite arrived, but it is near and inevitable as night follows day.
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In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest
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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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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.