George Washington Quotes

I'll die on my feet before I'll live on my knees!

Being a politician makes your hair turn white.

I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree.

Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors arrogancy.

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.

I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberty.

I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; and little or no diplomatic establishment

The Constitution which at any time exists, 'till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People is sacredly obligatory upon all.

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.

Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!

The people must remain ever vigilant against tyrants masquerading as public servants.

Unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties

I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office.

History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.

Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person's own mind, than on the externals in the world.

The company in which you will improve most will be least expensive to you.

The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.

The best and only safe road to honor, glory, and true dignity is justice.

Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.

Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?

In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time.

A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.

It is an old adage that honesty is the best policy-this applies to public as well as private life-to States as well as individuals.

The fundamental principle of our constitution ... enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail.

[death] ... the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return

To rectify past blunders is impossible, but we might profit by the experience of them.

Merit rarely goes unrewarded.

I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.

Creationists make it sound like a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night. Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author

Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.

It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.

May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence

Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.

The benefit arising from moderate use of strong Liquor have been experienced in all Armies, and are not to be disputed.

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

I am just going. Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead ... Tis well.

Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal.

If you can't send money, send tobacco.

When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered.

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

Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there.

My aim has been ... to keep the United States ... independent of all and under the influence of none.

The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth.

System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution it renders every thing more easy.

A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.

Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a Nation be just.

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.

He establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive that induced me to the field of battle.

My own remedy is always to eat, just before I step into bed, a hot roasted onion, if I have a cold.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

Reason, too late perhaps, may convince you of the folly of misspending time.

A passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils

I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit, and reward the brave and deserving.

Liberty, when it degrades into licentiousness, begets confusion, and frequently ends in tyranny or some woeful confusion.

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth

Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive.

Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho' they differ in shape.

This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it. John Adams, U.S. President

Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest. Scoff at none though they give occasion.

There is no restraining men's tongues or pens when charged with a little vanity.

Father I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet.

Paper money will invariably operate in the body of politics as spirit liquors on the human body. They prey on the vitals and ultimately destroy them

[It] is the juvenal period of life when friendships are formed, and habits established, that will stick by one.

To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation.

Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.

I die hard but am not afraid to go.

Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward.

Honesty is always the best policy.

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

It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.

Painful as the task is to describe the dark side of our affairs, it sometimes becomes a matter of indispensable necessity.

Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.

A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.

I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

Be courteous to all, but personal with number of, and allow those couple be perfectly attempted ahead of you provide them with your self-assurance.

Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.

The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.

In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.

To please everybody is impossible; were I to undertake it, I should probably please nobody.

Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.

The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.

Avoid] likewise the accumulation of debt ...

It is not the lowest priced goods that are always the cheapest - the quality is, or ought to be as much an object with the purchaser, as the price.

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

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.

An ambassador has no need of spies; his character is always sacred.

Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process.

It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.

[T]he foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion, that Providence will not leave its work imperfect.

Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.

From thinking proceeds speaking; thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous!

I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery.

Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.