George Washington

Military Leader, Politician

George Washington was the first President of the United States and a key figure in the American Revolutionary War, known for his leadership and vision for a free nation.

Born
February 22, 1732
Died
December 14, 1799
Quotes
670
Rank
#184

Quote collection

George Washington quotes (page 9 of 34)

670 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in the Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the opposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Among the many interesting objects which will engage your attention that of providing for the common defense will merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Houses of Congress have . . . requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"But if in the pursuit of the means we should unfortunately stumble again on unfunded paper money or any similar species of fraud, we shall assuredly give a fatal stab to our national credit in its infancy. 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. 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."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of every one, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the estimation of the widow's mite, but, that it is not every one who asketh that deserveth charity; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish; that they will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. ... moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the government."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?"

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience. To enveigh against things that are past and irremediable, is unpleasing; but to steer clear of the shelves and rocks we have struck upon, is the part of wisdom, equally as incumbent on political as other men, who have their own little bark, or that of others, to navigate through the intricate paths of life, or the trackless ocean, to the haven of security and rest."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"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."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to 'Anarchy' or 'Despotism'."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"Father I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet."

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George Washington Military Leader, Politician
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"I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution."

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