Quotes By George Washington

In the appointments to the great offices of the government, my aim has been to combine geographical situation, and sometimes other considerations, with abilities and fitness of known characters.

It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.

To secure respect to a neutral flag requires a naval force organized and ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression.

The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.

It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.

Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.

In the discharge of this trust I will only say that I have, with good intentions, contributed toward the organization and administration of the Government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable.

Reason, too late perhaps, may convince you of the folly of misspending time.

I am principled against selling negroes, as you would do cattle at a market.

We ought to deprecate the hazard attending ardent and susceptible minds, from being too strongly, and too early prepossessed in favor of other political systems, before they are capable of appreciating their own.

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.

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

Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors arrogancy.

It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being Who rules over the universe, Who presides in the councils of nations, and Whose providential aids can supply every human defect.

The investigation of mathematical truths accustoms the mind to method and correctness in reasoning, and is an employment peculiarly worthy of rational beings.

While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.

I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit, and reward the brave and deserving.

It is a maxim, founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest; and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it.

Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.

Nothing short of self-respect and that justice which is essential to a national character ought to involve us in war.