"Painful as the task is to describe the dark side of our affairs, it sometimes becomes a matter of indispensable necessity."
Read quote
3 likes
Quote collection
George Washington quotes (page 29 of 34)
670 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution it renders every thing more easy."
Read quote
3 likes
"The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with."
Read quote
3 likes
"To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad."
Read quote
3 likes
"It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them."
Read quote
3 likes
"Next Monday the Convention in Virginia will assemble; we have still good hopes of its adoption here: though by no great plurality of votes. South Carolina has probably decided favourably before this time. The plot thickens fast. A few short weeks will determine the political fate of America for the present generation, and probably produce no small influence on the happiness of society through a long succession of ages to come."
Read quote
3 likes
"I am now . . . on a subject, which fills me with inexpressible concern . . . . But as it has been a kind of destiny, that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose."
Read quote
3 likes
"Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable. It may, for a while, be irksome to do this, but that will wear off; and the practice will produce a rich harvest forever thereafter; whether in public or private walks of life."
Read quote
3 likes
"The business being thus closed . . . dined together and took a cordial leave of each other After which I returned to my lodgings, did some business with and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous work which had been executed."
Read quote
3 likes
"Offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only means of defence."
Read quote
3 likes
"... in the present State of America, our welfare and prosperity depend upon the cultivation of our lands and turning the produce of them to the best advantage."
Read quote
3 likes
"In a word, if this country can steer clear of European politics, stand firm on its bottom, and be wise and temperate in its government, it bids fair to be one of the greatest and happiest nations in the world."
Read quote
3 likes
"The art of war is at once comprehensive and complicated; ... it demands much previous study; and ... the possession of it, in its most improved and perfect state, is always a great moment to the security of a nation. This, therefore, ought to be a serious care of every government; and for this purpose, an academy, where a regular course of instruction is given, is an obvious expedient, which different nations have successfully employed."
Read quote
3 likes
"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
3 likes
"Your late purchase of an estate in the colony of Cayenne, with a view to emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit would diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country; but I despair of seeing it."
Read quote
3 likes
"This Government, the offspring of your own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support."
Read quote
3 likes
"Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present."
Read quote
3 likes
"If you can't sent money, send tobacco."
Read quote
3 likes
"Military arrangement, and movements in consequence, like the mechanism of a clock, will be imperfectand disordered by the want of a part."
Read quote
3 likes
"I never did, nor do I believe I ever shall, give advice to a woman who is setting out on a matrimonial voyage; first, because I never could advise one to marry without her own consent; and, secondly, I know it is to no purpose to advise her to refrain when she has obtained it. A woman very rarely asks an opinion or requires advice on such an occasion, till her resolution is formed; and then it is with the hope and expectation of obtaining a sanction, not that she means to be governed by your disapprobation, that she applies."
Read quote
3 likes