George Washington Quotes

“Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho' they differ in shape.”

“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.”

“Facts may speak for themselves.”

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

“'Tis folly in one Nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a portion of its Independence for whatever it may accept under that character; that by such acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favours and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation. 'Tis an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.”

“If you can't send money, send tobacco.”

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”

“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.”

“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. ... Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence (and) avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt ... not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear.”

“To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad.”

“At my age, and in my circumstances, what sinister object, or personal emolument had I to seek after, in this life? The growing infirmities of age and the increasing love of retirement, daily confirm my decided predilection for domestic life: and the great Searcher of human hearts is my witness, that I have no wish, which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm.”

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

“Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy.”

“Let me ... warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”

“A natural parent has only two things principally to consider, the improvement of his son, and the finances to do it with.”

“The most certain way to make a man your enemy is to tell him you esteem him such.”

“Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.”

“It is not the lowest priced goods that are always the cheapest - the quality is, or ought to be as much an object with the purchaser, as the price.”

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

“I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office.”

“In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.”

“Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.”

“To please everybody is impossible; were I to undertake it, I should probably please nobody.”

“I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate.”

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