100 George Washington Quotes

George Washington, one of the greatest figures in American history, was the first President of the United States. He not only served as the first president of the United States, but he also commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775–83) and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution. Washington was a remarkable man, great leader, and the father of our country. George Washington died on December 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, leaving behind a legacy as one of America’s greatest leaders. Along with his leadership, the first president was known for his way with words, which is why many George Washington quotes have become iconic today. Here is a collection of George Washington quotes that teach about leadership, politics, freedom and more.

George Washington Quotes

1. “Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad Company.” ~ George Washington

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

3. “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” ~ George Washington

4. “Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.” ~ George Washington

5. “We must consult our means rather than our wishes.” ~ George Washington

6. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence.” ~ George Washington
7. “Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is taken to bring it to light.” ~ George Washington
8. “The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” ~ George Washington
9. “Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” ~ George Washington
10. “99% of failures come from people who make excuses.” ~ George Washington

George Washington Quote

11. “Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.” ~ George Washington
12. “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” ~ George Washington
13. “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” ~ George Washington
14. “A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.” ~ George Washington
15. “Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.” ~ George Washington
16. “To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.” ~ George Washington
17. “Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?” ~ George Washington
18. “A bad war is fought with a good mind.” ~ George Washington
19. “Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.” ~ George Washington
20. “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.” ~ George Washington

Quotes by George Washington

21. “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” ~ George Washington
22. “Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.” – George Washington
23. “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
24. “Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” ~ George Washington
25. “The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.” ~ George Washington
26. “It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government.” ~ George Washington
27. “I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, and the foundation of happiness or misery.” ~ George Washington
28. “Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.” ~ George Washington
29. “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
30. “We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.” ~ George Washington

Famous George Washington Quotes

31. “The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.” ~ George Washington
32. “The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.” ~ George Washington
33. “Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” ~ George Washington
34. “To persevere in one’s duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny.” ~ George Washington
35. “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.” ~ George Washington
36. “Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice.” ~ George Washington
37. “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
38. “There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.” ~ George Washington
39. “Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone.” ~ George Washington
40. “I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.” ~ George Washington

George Washington Quotes

41. “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” ~ George Washington
42. “I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.” ~ George Washington
43. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” ~ George Washington
44. “Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness.” ~ George Washington
45. “Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.” ~ George Washington
46. “Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.” ~ George Washington
47. “It is absolutely necessary… for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.” ~ George Washington
48. “It is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fireside than to occupy a cold bleak hill and sleep under frost and snow without clothes or blankets.” ~ George Washington
49. “Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.” ~ George Washington
50. “Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.” ~ George Washington

George Washington Famous Quotes

51. “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.” ~ George Washington
52. “Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.” ~ George Washington
53. “Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do-then do it with all your strength.” ~ George Washington
54. “No people can be bound to acknowledge the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.” ~ George Washington
55. “Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.” ~ George Washington
56. “The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government.” ~ George Washington
57. “We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed… we must bear the present evils and fortitude…” ~ George Washington
58. “Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” ~ George Washington
59. “There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.” ~ George Washington
60. “Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” ~ George Washington

Quotes from George Washington

61. “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” ~ George Washington
62. “One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.” ~ George Washington
63. “The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.” ~ George Washington
64. “Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.” ~ George Washington
65. “Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people they give up their secrets also-if you love them enough” ~ George Washington
66. “Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.” ~ George Washington
67. “Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.” ~ George Washington
68. “The great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.” ~ George Washington
69. “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 welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” ~ George Washington
70. “A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.” ~ George Washington

Quotes From the US’ First President

71. “Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.” ~ George Washington
72. “The hour is fast approaching, on which the honor and success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding country depend. Remember officers and soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty — that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.” ~ George Washington
73. “Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process.” ~ George Washington
74. “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” ~ George Washington
75. “But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.” ~ George Washington
76. “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” ~ George Washington
77. “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” ~ George Washington
78. “When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.” ~ George Washington
79. “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
80. “I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound.” ~ George Washington

Best George Washington Quotes

81. “Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.” ~ George Washington
82. “Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.” ~ George Washington
83. “I hope, some day or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world.” ~ George Washington
84. “If to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The rest is in the hands of God.” ~ George Washington
85. “No punishment, in my opinion, is to great, for the man who can build his greatness upon his country’s ruin.” ~ George Washington
86. “Nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.” ~ George Washington
87. “If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens.” ~ George Washington
88. “It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.” ~ George Washington
89. “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.” ~ George Washington
90. “The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.” ~ George Washington

Washington Quotes

91. “Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by a difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated.” ~ George Washington
92. “I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” ~ George Washington
93. “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” ~ George Washington
94. “The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to it animosity or two its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.” ~ George Washington
95. “Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.” ~ George Washington
96. “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.” ~ George Washington
97. “I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.” ~ George Washington
98. “Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” ~ George Washington
99. “Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.” ~ George Washington
100. “Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy. Let us then as a nation be just.” ~ George Washington

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