George Washington Quotes - Page 27

• Extensive powers not exercised as far as was necessary have, I believe, scarcely ever failed to ruin the possessor.

  George Washington

  Believe, Power, Ruins

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1840). “The Writings of George Washington: pt. II. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution: (v. 3) June, 1775-July, 1776. (v. 4) July, 1776-July] 1777. (v. 5) July, 1777-July, 1778. (v. 6) July, 1778-March, 1780. (v. 7) March, 1780-April, 1781. (v. 8) April, 1781-December, 1783”, p.100

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• To the security of a free Constitution it [knowledge] contributes in various ways: by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights, to discern and provide against invasions of them, to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority, between burdens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of society.

  George Washington

  Teaching, Exercise, Rights

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• Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.

  George Washington

  Thanksgiving, People, Thursday

  Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

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• 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.

  George Washington

  War, Mean, Patriotic

  George Washington, David Maydole Matteson, United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1778). “The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799”, p.286

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• It is our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

  George Washington

  Peace, Carpe Diem, Alliances

  Farewell Address, Philadelphia, Pa., 19 Sept. 1796

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• Jealousy, and local policy mix too much in all our public councils for the good government of the Union. In a words, the confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance . . . .

  George Washington

  Government, Shadow, Substance

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

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• It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.

  George Washington

  Character, Greatness, Great Character

  George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.14, Rowman & Littlefield

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• Providence has done, and I am persuaded is disposed to do, a great deal for us; but we are not to forget the fable of Jupiter and the countryman.

  George Washington

  Jupiter, Done, Fables

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.57

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• Submit your sentiments with diffidence. A dictatorial style, though it may carry conviction, is always accompanied with disgust.

  George Washington

  Style, May, Conviction

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1847). “pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789”, p.280

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• Soap is another article in great demand--the Continental allowance is too small, and dear, as every necessary of life is now got, a soldier's pay will not enable him to purchase, by which means his consequent dirtiness adds not a little to the disease of the Army.

  George Washington

  Mean, Army, Soldier

  George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1777). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.441

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• We should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn.

  George Washington

  Action, Should, Risque

  George Washington (1997). “Writings”

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• Alas! Our dancing days are no more. We wish, however, all those who have a relish for so agreeable and innocent an amusement all the pleasure the season will afford them.

  George Washington

  Dance, Dancing, Wish

  George Washington (1860). “Recollections and private memoirs of Washington by his adopted son George Washington with a memoir of the author by his daughter; and illustrative and explanatory notes by Benson J. Loosing: With illustrations”, p.366

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• There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.

  George Washington

  Weakness, United States, Reputation

  United States. President, George Washington, United States (1825). “The speeches, addresses and messages, of the several presidents of the United States, at the openings of Congress and at their respective inaugurations: Also, the Declaration of independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's farewell address to his fellow-citizens”, p.62

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• The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize.

  George Washington

  Real, Home, Government

  George Washington (1810). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States”, p.7

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• [T]he first transactions of a nation, like those of an individual upon his first entrance into life make the deepest impression, and are to form the leading traits in its character.

  George Washington

  Character, Firsts, Individual

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• I wish to see the sons and daughters of the world in Peace and busily employed in the more agreeable amusement of fulfilling the first and great commandment, Increase and Multiply : as an encouragement to which we have opened the fertile plains of the Ohio to the poor, the needy and the oppressed of the Earth; any one therefore who is heavy laden, or who wants land to cultivate, may repair thither and abound, as in the Land of promise, with milk and honey: the ways are preparing, and the roads will be made easy, thro' the channels of Potomac and James river.

  George Washington

  Daughter, Encouragement, Son

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• I rejoice that liberty . . . now finds an asylum in the bosom of a regularly organized government; a government, which, being formed to secure happiness of the French people, corresponds with the ardent wishes of my heart, while it gratifies the pride of every citizen of the United States, by its resemblance to their own.

  George Washington

  Heart, Pride, Government

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• Diffidence in an officer is a good mark because he will always endeavor to bring himself up to what he conceives to be the full line of his duty.

  George Washington

  Lines, Endeavor, Mark

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1839). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts”, p.399

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• We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government.

  George Washington

  Government, Perfection, Progress

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1835). “The Writings of George Washington: pt.III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789. 1835”, p.318

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• Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other and all tugging at the federal head, will soon bring ruin on the whole.

  George Washington

  Tugging, Ruins, Thirteen

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1835). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private”, p.208

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