1732-1799, First President of the USA
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
George Washington – [Alliances]
A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
George Washington – [Friends and Friendship]
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.
George Washington – [Association]
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington – [Friends and Friendship]
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
George Washington – [Discipline]
Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
George Washington – [Virtue]
Government is not reason and it is not eloquence. It is force! Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
George Washington – [Government]
I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
George Washington – [Retirement]
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 b
George Washington – [Patriotism]
I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
George Washington – [Honesty]
I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares.
George Washington – [Farming and Farmers]
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
George Washington – [Freedom of Speech]
It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.
George Washington – [Gambling]
It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go. [Dec. 14, 1977]
George Washington – [Famous Last Words]
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience
George Washington – [Conscience]
Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.
George Washington – [Mercy]
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.
George Washington – [Ethics]
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
George Washington – [Morality]
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
George Washington – [Work]
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
George Washington – [Freedom]