If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
—George Washington
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
Topics: Friends, Friendship, Difficulty, Friends and Friendship
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
—George Washington
Topics: Liberty, Freedom
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
—George Washington
Topics: War, Peace
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.
—George Washington
Topics: Truth
Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power
—George Washington
Topics: Experience
You will therefore send me none but Natives, and Men of some property, if you have them.
—George Washington
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.
—George Washington
Topics: Wisdom, Historians, History, Goal, Past
Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
—George Washington
Topics: Government
Sleep not when others speak,
sit not when others stand,
speak not when you should hold your peace,
walk not when others stop.
—George Washington
It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.
—George Washington
Topics: Evil
Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men, any more than fine feathers make fine birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired, obtains more credit in the eyes of the judicious and sensible.
—George Washington
Topics: Style
There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true. But in governments of a popular character, and purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent it bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.
—George Washington
Topics: Party
It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.
—George Washington
Topics: Greatness
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supporters.—A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
—George Washington
Topics: Religion
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism…. It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
—George Washington
Topics: America
The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.
—George Washington
Topics: Justice
There is a natural and necessary progression, from the extreme of anarchy to the extreme of tyranny; and arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
—George Washington
Topics: Tyranny
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
—George Washington
Topics: Liberalism
‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
—George Washington
Topics: Community
To constitute a dispute there must be two parties. To understand it well, both parties and all the circumstances must be fully heard; and to accommodate the differences, temper and mutual forbearance are requisite.
—George Washington
Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.
—George Washington
Topics: Insults
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
Topics: Mothers, Family, Mothers Day
My temper leads me to peace and harmony with all men; and it is peculiarly my wish to avoid any personal feuds or dissensions with those, who are embarked in the same great national interest with myself, as every difference of this kind in its consequence must be very injurious.
—George Washington
Topics: Harmony
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, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.
—George Washington
Such is the turbulence of human passions in party disputes, when victory more than truth is contended for, that the post of honor is a private station.
—George Washington
Topics: Party
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
—George Washington
Topics: Success
To admit then a right in the House of Representatives to demand, and to have as a matter of course, all the Papers respecting a negotiation with a foreign power, would be to establish a dangerous precedent. It does not occur that the inspection of the papers asked for, can be relative to any purpose under the cognizance of the House of Representatives, except that of an impeachment, which the resolution has not expressed. I repeat, that I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed: and in fact, all the Papers affecting the negotiation with Great Britain were laid before the Senate, when the Treaty itself was communicated for their consideration and advice. The course which the debate has taken, on the resolution of the House, leads to some observations on the mode of making treaties under the Constitution of the United States.
—George Washington
Experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing Constitution of a country
—George Washington
Topics: Experience
Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters let it be somewhat grave.
—George Washington
Topics: Manners
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
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- James Madison American Statesman, President
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- Robert E. Lee American Military General
- Ulysses S. Grant American Head of State
- Herbert Hoover American Statesman
- James A. Garfield American Head of State
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