Top 683 Quotes & Sayings by George Washington - Page 2

Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your reputation. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth, and pursue it steadily. Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy nation.

Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?

Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.

Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.

Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your strength.

I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.

However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly.

Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppresive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.

Character enough of an opposite description ... My opinion is ... that you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this Country.

99% of failures come from people who make excuses.

It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.

The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall wellcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges...

The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.

When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.

Have the strength to be an honest person.

There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money

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

If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.

When there is no vision, there is no hope.

A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.

The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth.

But if the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government, and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected thereafter.

All Freemasonry should be disbanded in America because our organization has been infiltrated by the Illuminati and they have bad intention for America and the World.

Freedom and Property Rights are inseparable. You can't have one without the other.

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.

The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury.

Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.

A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.

The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can, and undoubtedly will, be recalled.

What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.

What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?

It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.

We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.

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 favors.

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word...direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land.

A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass.

Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.

Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.

Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.

The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.

Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

One's god dictates the kind of law one implements and also controls the application and development of that law over time. Given enough time, all non-Christian systems of law self-destruct in a fit of tyranny.

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.

Great people are not affected by each puff of wind that blows ill. Like great ships, they sail serenely on, in a calm sea or a great tempest.

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.

I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them.

History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.

The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism . . .

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?

Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there.