50 All Time Best Quotes by American President George Washington
George Washington was born in 1732 in Virginia and was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He served two terms as the first president in U.S. history, from 1789 to 1797. Washington was a great leader and is widely known as the Father of the Country. He had high expectations of himself and for his people. The son of a prosperous planter, George was raised in colonial Virginia. During the American Revolution, he played an important part in taking the colonial forces to victory over the British which made him a national hero. Shortly after the revolution, he was elected president in 1787. Three years later, Washington died in his Virginia plantation in Mount Vernon at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest leaders in America.
In his honour, below is a collection of the best George Washington quotes.
Also, check out our latest post on Quotes by John Muir.
Here is the list of Top 50 Quotes by George Washington
1.) “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
2.) “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”
3.) “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.”
4.)To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”
5.) “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”
6.) “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”
7.) Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.”
8.) “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.”
9.) “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.”
10.)Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.”
11.) “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.”
12.)” 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.”
13.) “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
14.)“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.”
15.) “Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.”
16.) “There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”
17.) “The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.”
18.) “It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”
19.)But if we are to be told by a foreign power what we shall do, and what we shall not do, we have Independence yet to seek, and have contended hitherto for very little.”
20.) “To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad.”
21.) “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.”
22.) ““The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
23.) “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.”
24.)Government is not reason and it is not eloquence. It is force! Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”
25.) “I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.”
26.)“I hope, some day or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world.”
27.) “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
28.)“The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world.”
29.) “Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. 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.”
30.) “The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.”
31.) “I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery.”
32.) “Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
33.)“I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.”
34.)” Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.”
35.) “Your love of liberty – your respect for the laws – your habits of industry – and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness.”
36.)“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.”
37.) “Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.”
38.) “A good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.”
39.) “No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.”
40.)“In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.”
41.)“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”
42.) “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.”
43.) “Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy. Let us then as a nation be just.”
44.) “A man’s intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.”
45.) “Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.”
46.) “I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit, and reward the brave and deserving.”
47.)More permanent and genuine happiness is to be found in the sequestered walks of connubial life than in the giddy rounds of promiscuous pleasure.”
48.) “I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”
49.) “I shall not be deprived of a comfort in the worst event, if I retain a consciousness of having acted to the best of my judgment.”
50.) “The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other considerations.”
Conclusion
Here is the list of the best quotes from George Washington. I have covered most of the quotes in the best way possible. If you have more suggestions, feel free to contact us and we will definitely prioritise your suggestion.
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