"One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Read quote
5 likes
Quote collection
George Washington quotes (page 24 of 34)
670 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery."
Read quote
5 likes
"There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true, and, in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged."
Read quote
5 likes
"It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders."
Read quote
5 likes
"In politics as in religion, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy."
Read quote
5 likes
"As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."
Read quote
5 likes
"Reason, too late perhaps, may convince you of the folly of misspending time."
Read quote
5 likes
"An army formed of good officers moves like clockwork; but there is no situation upon earth less enviable, nor more distressing, than that person's who is at the head of troops which are regardless of order and discipline."
Read quote
5 likes
"A person who is anxious to be a leader of the fashion, or one of the first to follow it, will certainly appear in the eyes of judicious men to have nothing better than a frequent change of dress to recommend him to notice."
Read quote
5 likes
"The most certain way to make a man your enemy is to tell him you esteem him such."
Read quote
5 likes
"At my age, and in my circumstances, what sinister object, or personal emolument had I to seek after, in this life? The growing infirmities of age and the increasing love of retirement, daily confirm my decided predilection for domestic life: and the great Searcher of human hearts is my witness, that I have no wish, which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm."
Read quote
5 likes
"It will at least be a recommendation to the proposed constitution that it is provided with more checks and barriers against the introduction of tyranny, and those of a nature less liable to be surmounted, than any government hitherto instituted among mortals hath possessed."
Read quote
5 likes
"I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him."
Read quote
5 likes
"The alternate triumphs of different parties ... make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels."
Read quote
5 likes
"The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principle of private morality."
Read quote
5 likes
"I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it."
Read quote
5 likes
"If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel."
Read quote
5 likes
"[Avoid] likewise the accumulation of debt."
Read quote
5 likes
"Liberty is indeed little less than a name, where the Government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of society within the limits prescribed by the law, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyme"
Read quote
5 likes
"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally."
Read quote
5 likes