George Washington Quotes - Page 5

• The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

  George Washington

  Country, Revenge, Party

  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.104

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• We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.

  George Washington

  Giving Up, Hard Times, Effort

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• The views of men can only be known, or guessed at, by their words or actions.

  George Washington

  Men, Views, Action

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1848). “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.390

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• What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and falacious! Would to God that wise measures may be taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend.

  George Washington

  Wise, Taken, Character

  Letter to John Jay, August 15, 1786.

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• A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.

  George Washington

  Teamwork, Moving, Men

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

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• Precedents are dangerous things; let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.

  George Washington

  Government, Hands, Constitution

  George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.142

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• There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money; for when money can be had in this way, repayment is seldom thought of in time, the interest becomes a loss, exertions to raise it by dent of industry cease, it comes easy and is spent freely, and many things (are) indulged in that would never be thought of if (they were) to be purchased by the sweat of the brow.

  George Washington

  Loss, Practice, Sweat

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• 

  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

  Mothers Day, Beautiful, Mom

  "Biography/ Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

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• Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

  George Washington

  Peace, War, 4th Of July

  George Washington (1783). “A circular Letter ... to ... W. Greene, Governor ... of Rhode Island”, p.11

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• To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.

  George Washington

  Mistake, Errors, Glory

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• The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

  George Washington

  Fate, Army, Conquer

  1776 General orders, 2 Jul. Quoted in J C Fitzpatrick (ed) Writings of George Washington (1932), vol.5.

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• It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.

  George Washington

  Inspiration, Agency, Creation Of The Universe

  George Washington, John Frederick Schroeder (1947). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”

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• A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite.

  George Washington

  Freedom, Gun, People

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.222

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• Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are fighting for the blessings of liberty.

  George Washington

  Fighting, Blessing, Soldier

  George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1776). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.479

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• Good moral character is the first essential in a man.

  George Washington

  Character, Men, Essentials

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.314

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• It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.

  George Washington

  Wonderful, Can Do, Ifs

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• For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.

  George Washington

  Taken, Men, Sheep

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1835). “Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts”, p.562

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• If we mean to support the liberty and independence which has cost us so much blood and treasure to establish, we must drive far away the demon of party spirit and local reproach.

  George Washington

  Party, Mean, Blood

  George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.182

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• A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove.

  George Washington

  People, Restraint

  George Washington, David Maydole Matteson, United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1777). “The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799”

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• At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation; and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.

  George Washington

  United States, Citizens, Faults

  George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.112

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• Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.

  George Washington

  Peace, War, Inspiration

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

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• Much indeed to be regretted, party disputes are now carried to such a length, and truth is so enveloped in mist and false representation, that it is extremely difficult to know through what channel to seek it. This difficulty to one, who is of no party, and whose sole wish is to pursue with undeviating steps a path which would lead this country to respectability, wealth, and happiness, is exceedingly to be lamented. But such, for wise purposes, it is presumed, is the turbulence of human passions in party disputes, when victory more than truth is the palm contended for.

  George Washington

  Wise, Country, Party

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1836). “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.40

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• Let me now warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party. The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another. In governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged.

  George Washington

  Wise, Party, Government

  George Washington’s "Farewell Address", oll.libertyfund.org. September 19, 1796.

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• 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”

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• [The spirit of party] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another.

  George Washington

  Party, Community, Alarms

  George Washington, Andrew Jackson (1862). “Washington's Farewell Address: The Proclamation of Jackson Against Nullification, and the Declaration of Independence”, p.8

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