George Washington Quotes - Page 7

• All combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community.

  George Washington

  Real, Party, Character

  George Washington, United States. President (1789-1797 : Washington) (1847). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America: Published in September, 1796”, p.7

  18 Copy quote

• 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.

  George Washington

  Independence, Littles, Foreign Policy

  George Washington, David Maydole Matteson, United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1931). “The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799”

  16 Copy quote

• May the same wonderworking Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors and planted them in the promised land, whose Providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.

  George Washington

  Spiritual, Independent, Blessing

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1837). “The Writings of George Washington: pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses”, p.186

  10 Copy quote

• A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.

  George Washington

  Character, Important, Essentials

  27 Copy quote

• It is incumbent upon every person of every description to contribute to his country's welfare.

  George Washington

  Country, Welfare, Description

  23 Copy quote

• Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.

  George Washington

  Country, Evil, Alcohol

  George Washington (1908). “Letters and Addresses,”

  12 Copy quote

• Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by a difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought to be deprecated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society.

  George Washington

  Christian, Religious, Differences

  George Washington, Edward Frank Humphrey (1932). “George Washington on religious liberty and mutual understanding: selections from Washington's letters”

  15 Copy quote

• Purity of morals [is] the only sure foundation of public happiness in any country.

  George Washington

  Country, Foundation, Moral

  George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.62, Rowman & Littlefield

  15 Copy quote

• Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable as, to a certain point, they may perhaps be necessary; but it is exceedingly to be regretted that subjects cannot be discussed with temper on the one hand, or decisions submitted to without having the motives, which led to them, improperly implicated on the other; and this regret borders on chagrin when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, having the same general objects in view, and the same upright intentions to prosecute them, will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions and actions of one another.

  George Washington

  Regret, Exercise, Men

  Jay A. Parry, Andrew M. Allison, George Washington (1991). “The real George Washington”, Natl Center for Constitutional

  28 Copy quote

• If the minority, and a small one too, is suffered to dictate to the majority, after measures have undergone the most solemn discussions by the representatives of the people, and their will through this medium is enacted into a law, there can be no security for life, liberty, or property; nor, if the laws are not to govern, can any man know how to conduct himself in safety.

  George Washington

  Men, Law, People

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1836). “The Writings of George Washington: pt. IV. Letters official and private, from the beginning of his presidency to the end of his life: (v. 10) May, 1789-November, 1794. (v. 11) November, 1794-December, 1799”, p.440

  9 Copy quote

• We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened Age and in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States.

  George Washington

  Religious, Heart, Men

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1838). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private”, p.202

  33 Copy quote

• Let no one go hungry away. If any of the kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage them in idleness.

  George Washington

  People, Doe, Want

  George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1776). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.115

  9 Copy quote

• WHEREAS it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint Committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

  George Washington

  Thanksgiving, Prayer, Grateful

  George Washington's first Presidential Thanksgiving Day proclamation, October 3, 1789.

  17 Copy quote

• You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention.

  George Washington

  Wise, Jesus, Art

  George Washington (1997). “Writings”

  9 Copy quote

• 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.

  George Washington

  Political, Storm, Example

  George Washington (1835). “The writings of George Washington: being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes, and illustrations”, p.206

  15 Copy quote

• We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.

  George Washington

  Mother, Country, Stars

  56 Copy quote

• Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force...Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

  George Washington

  Peace, War, Government

  32 Copy quote

• Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.

  George Washington

  Believe, Government, People

  George Washington, Andrew Jackson (1862). “Washington's Farewell Address: The Proclamation of Jackson Against Nullification, and the Declaration of Independence”, p.10

  12 Copy quote

• Passionate attachment to another nation produces a variety of evils... the illusion of common interests where no real common interests exist; adopting the enmities of the other; and participation in the quarrels and wars of the other without any justification. Still another evil is that such a passionate attachment gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens the facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country.

  George Washington

  Country, Real, War

  4 Copy quote

• ... happily the Government of the United States... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

  George Washington

  Atheist, Government, Giving

  Letter to Hebrew congregation of Newport, R.I., 17 Aug. 1790

  33 Copy quote

• Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable.

  George Washington

  Morning, Healthy, May

  George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.28, Rowman & Littlefield

  19 Copy quote

• Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.

  George Washington

  Running, Real, Patriotic

  11 Copy quote

• No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable.

  George Washington

  President, Delay, Redemption

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.120

  13 Copy quote

• Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.

  George Washington

  Giving, Brilliant, Speak

  "The Writings of George Washington".

  53 Copy quote

• Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

  George Washington

  Integrity, 4th Of July, Fire

  Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour. Sparks 'Life of Washington' (1839) vol. 2, p. 109

  90 Copy quote

You May Also Like:

Abraham Lincoln

Thomas Jefferson

John Adams

Benjamin Franklin

Martha Washington

George W. Bush

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison