George Washington Quotes



1, 2, or 3?
My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the 
discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and 
scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Agriculture
I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services 
can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, 
its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a 
husbandman's cares. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Alliances
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of 
the foreign world. 
George Washington
Source:http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/George-Washington/1/

"My policy has been, and will continue to be, while I have the honor to remain 
in the administration of the government, to be upon friendly terms with, but 
independent of, all the nations of the earth. To share in the broils of none. 
To fulfil our own engagements. To supply the wants, and be carriers for them 
all: Being thoroughly convinced that it is our policy and interest to do so."
George Washington
Source: 1795 - letter to Gouverneur Morris, Ref: Washington's Maxims, 54.

American
"The name of AMERICAN, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, 
must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation 
derived from local discriminations."
George Washington  
Source:http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/georgewashington/a/quotewashington.htm

Bad Company
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own 
reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

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. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Be Wise
"If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst."
George Washington
Source:http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.E1F1

Being President
I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which 
may not hereafter be drawn into precedent. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Blessings
"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings 
than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted 
indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the 
road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it 
will ever come to pass."
George Washington
Source: 1788, in a letter to Benjamin Lincoln, Ref: George Washington: 
A Collection, W.B. Allen, ed. (521)
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.3F87

Cities
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. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Citizen Soldier
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Confidence
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried 
before you give them your confidence. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Conscience
Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, 
called conscience. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Conquer or Die
"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine
whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves;
whether they are to have any property they can call their own;
whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and
themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness
from which no human efforts will deliver them.
The fate of unborn millions will now depend on God,
on the courage and conduct of this army.
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."
George Washington
Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
Source:July 2, 1776, 
in orders sent to his officers explaining the war effort
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.1C11

Cursing
The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice 
so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and 
despises it. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Deception
I hate deception, even where the imagaination only is concerned.
George Washington
Source:Letter to Dr. Cochran, Aug 16, 1779

Debt
To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones.
George Washington
Source:Letter to James Welsh, April 7, 1799

"No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than
the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt:
on none can delay be more injurious, or
an economy of time more valuable."
George Washington
Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
Source: 1793, Message to the House of Representatives, Ref: Washington's Maxims, 64

Despotism
"The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the 
departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, 
a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness 
to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to 
satisfy us of the truth of this position."
-- George Washington
Source: Farewell Address, September 17, 1796, Ref: George Washington: 
A Collection, W.B. Allen, ed. (521)
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.9C30

Discipline
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; 
procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html



Disclose
Time may unfold more, than prudence ought to disclose.
George Washington
Source:Letter to Henry Lee July 21, 1793

Favors
"There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate
upon real favors from nation to nation."
George Washington
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.4077

Firearms
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains 
evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's 
good. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

When firearms go, all goes. We need them every hour. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Foreign Affairs
"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, 
fellow-citizens,) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; 
since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most 
baneful foes of Republican Government. But that jealousy, to be useful, 
must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be 
avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign 
nation, and excessive dislike of another, cause those whom they actuate to 
see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of 
influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the 
favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and 
dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests."
George Washington
Source: Farewell Address, September 17, 1796, Ref: George Washington: 
A Collection, W.B. Allen, ed. (521)
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.F706

Freedom of Speech
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, 
like sheep to the slaughter. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Friends
The opinion and advice of my friends I receive at all times as a proof 
of their friendship and am thankful when they are offered.
George Washington
Source:Letter to Robert Livingston, June 29, 1780

Friendship
True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and
withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the
appellation. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that 
actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html



Government
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, 
it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, 
that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes 
not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services 
to the defense of it. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Happiness
Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

History
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit 
to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Last Words
It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.
George Washington 
Source:Bartletts Familiar Quitations

Leadership
An army of asses led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by an ass.
George Washington
Source:http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/george_washington/

Lenience
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. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Liberal
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those 
who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally 
entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America 
among the foremost nations of justice and liberality. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html



Liberty
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural 
liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Mankind
Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Military
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious 
to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Paper Money
"Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, 
oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice."
George Washington
Source: in letter to J. Bowen, Rhode Island, Jan. 9, 1787

Past
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. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Patriotism
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
George Washington
Source:http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/george_washington/

Pay
As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that as no pecuniary 
consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment 
at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make 
any profit from it. 
George Washington 
Source: in Congress on his appointment as Commander-in-Chief 

Peace
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving
peace.
George Washington
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and 
harmony with all. 
George Washington
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html 

Power
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to 
licentiousness.
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html



Public Good
I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious 
of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Religion
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained 
without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national 
morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Right of the People
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter 
their constitutions of gevernment.
George Washington 
Source:Farewell Address 9-17-1766

Standard
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is 
in the hands of God. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html



Storm
Let us look to our National character, and to things beyond the 
present period. No Morn ever dawned more favourable than ours 
did-and no day was ever more clouded than the present! Wisdom, 
& good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the 
political machine from the impending storm."
George Washington
Letter to James Madison, Nov. 5, 1786

Thanksgiving
"Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November 
next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that 
great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good 
that was, that is, or that will be." 
George Washington - From the Proclamation of National Thanksgiving 
Source:http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/georgewashington/a/quotewashington.htm


Truth
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to 
light.
George Washington
Source:http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/george_washington/

Union
"While, then, every part of our country thus feels an immediate and 
particular interest in Union, all the parts combined cannot fail to 
find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, 
greater resource, proportionably greater security from external danger, 
a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations... 
Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown 
military establishments, which, under any form of government, are 
inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly 
hostile to Republican Liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union 
ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the 
love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other."
George Washington
Source: Farewell Address, September 17, 1796, Ref: George Washington: 
A Collection, W.B. Allen, ed. (521)
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.E030

Virtue
Few men have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the 
most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

War
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure 
peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be 
known, that we are at all times ready for War. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

War and Peace
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means
of preserving peace."
George Washington
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.B770

Worry
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. 
George Washington 
Source:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

When Washington Was President