"As to pay, Sir, I beg leave..." - Quote by George Washington
As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it.
More by George Washington
“The wishes of the people, seldom founded in deep disquisitions, or resulting from other reasonings than their present feelings, may not entirely accord with our true policy and interest. If they do not, to observe a proper line of conduct for promoting the one, and avoiding offence to the other, will be a work of great difficulty.”
“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.”
“Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors arrogancy.”
More on Public Service
“Insist that the first question each of us asks isn't "What's good for me?" but "What's good for the country my children will inherit?”
“We are not in politics to ignore peoples' worries, we are in politics to deal with them.”
“I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.”