One of the most influential founding fathers and a beacon of democracy in a time where the military might be seen as more important than the will of the people. George Washington was the President while securing America’s independence.
He is generally accepted as one of the most important Presidents in the history of our country. During his service as President, Washington was, more than anything, a model of democracy to future presidents, setting precedents in many areas including faith in civil, not military, rule, and a focus on the will of the people above all things. From a religious perspective, George Washington was a controversial figure.
Like many of the founding fathers, he was a Deist – believing in God, but not believing that God intervenes on a day-to-day basis. Throughout his life, Washington was a proponent of democracy, fair treatment of slaves, and the will of the Freemasons, and organization in which he was heavily involved.
(1732 – 1799)
– George Washington Quotes –
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
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
The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.
~ George Washington
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
~ George Washington
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.
~ George Washington
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
It is better to be alone than in bad company.
~ George Washington
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.
~ George Washington
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.
~ George Washington
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
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
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
Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.
~ George Washington
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
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
~ George Washington
I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.
~ George Washington
Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
~ George Washington
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
~ George Washington
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
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.
~ George Washington
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
It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
~ George Washington
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
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
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
~ George Washington
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.
~ George Washington
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
~ George Washington
Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.
~ George Washington
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
~ George Washington
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.
~ George Washington
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
~ George Washington
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
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
Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.
~ George Washington
Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.
~ George Washington
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
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
~ George Washington
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
~ George Washington
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
~ George Washington
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
~ George Washington
My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.
~ George Washington
Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.
~ George Washington
Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
~ George Washington
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
~ George Washington
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
~ George Washington
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
~ George Washington
There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.
~ George Washington
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
~ George Washington
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
War – An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.
~ George Washington
I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.
~ George Washington
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
~ George Washington
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
~ George Washington
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
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
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.
~ George Washington
The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.
~ George Washington
