1. The foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion, that Providence will not leave its work imperfect.

- George Washington

2. 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

3. Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.

- George Washington

4. 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

5. The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.

- George Washington

6. The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.

- George Washington

7. Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

- George Washington

8. The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.

- George Washington

9. No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass.

- George Washington

10. To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad.

- George Washington

11. The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.

- George Washington

12. Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.

- George Washington

13. I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.

- George Washington

14. The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

- George Washington

15. We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.

- George Washington

16. 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

17. 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

18. The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world.

- George Washington

19. 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

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

- George Washington

21. A man’s intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.

- George Washington

22. There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.

- George Washington

23. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.

- George Washington

24. 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

25. 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

26. In our progress toward political happiness my station is new; and if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.

- George Washington

27. My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.

- George Washington

28. A bad war is fought with a good mind.

- George Washington

29. But if we are to be told by a foreign power what we shall do, and what we shall not do, we have Independence yet to seek, and have contended hitherto for very little.

- George Washington

30. No taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant.

- George Washington

31. 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

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

- George Washington

33. ‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

- George Washington

34. 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

35. A people who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.

- George Washington

36. I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery.

- George Washington

37. War – An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.

- George Washington

38. Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.

- George Washington

39. Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.

- George Washington

40. It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections.

- George Washington

41. George Washington sets the nation on its democratic path. Abraham Lincoln preserves it. Franklin Roosevelt sees the nation through depression and war.

- George Washington

42. I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.

- George Washington

43. The Founders didn’t mention political parties when they wrote the Constitution, and George Washington in essence warned us against them in his Farewell Address.

- George Washington

44. I hope, some day or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world.

- George Washington

45. I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.

- George Washington

46. 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

47. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

- George Washington

48. Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.

- George Washington

49. To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.

- George Washington

50. George Washington participated as a vestryman in his local congregation, but that didn’t really imply any particular kind of religious belief. This was necessary in order to participate in the society.

- George Washington

51. 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

52. 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

53. The establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive which induced me to the Field – the object is attained – and it now remains to be my earnest wish & prayer, that the Citizens of the United States could make a wise and virtuous use of the blessings placed before them.

- George Washington

54. The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other considerations.

- George Washington

55. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

- George Washington

56. A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.

- George Washington

57. The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity.

- George Washington

58. The Constitution which at any time exists, ’till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People is sacredly obligatory upon all.

- George Washington

59. 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

60. Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

- George Washington

61. I shall not be deprived … of a comfort in the worst event, if I retain a consciousness of having acted to the best of my judgment.

- George Washington

62. I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.

- George Washington

63. Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths?

- George Washington

64. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

- George Washington

65. The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

- George Washington

66. I often say of George Washington that he was one of the few in the whole history of the world who was not carried away by power.

- George Washington

67. Your love of liberty – your respect for the laws – your habits of industry – and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness.

- George Washington

68. The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.

- George Washington

69. The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

- George Washington

70. 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 by a prospect of interest, or some reward.

- George Washington

71. [A] good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.

- George Washington

72. The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded. Their indiscriminate violence prostrates for the time all public authority, and its consequences are sometimes extensive and terrible.

- George Washington

73. 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

74. 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

75. No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.

- George Washington

76. The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.

- George Washington

77. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

- George Washington

78. Jealousy, and local policy mix too much in all our public councils for the good government of the Union. In a words, the confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance.

- George Washington

79. 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

80. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy.

- George Washington

81. More permanent and genuine happiness is to be found in the sequestered walks of connubial life than in the giddy rounds of promiscuous pleasure.

- George Washington

82. My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.

- George Washington

83. The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.

- George Washington

84. 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

85. You think of George Washington, this man who was larger than life, and in some ways he was. But at the same time, he’s just a person.

- George Washington

86. Religion is as necessary to reason as reason is to religion. The one cannot exist without the other. A reasoning being would lose his reason, in attempting to account for the great phenomena of nature, had he not a Supreme Being to refer to; and well has it been said, that if there had been no God, mankind would have been obliged to imagine one.

- George Washington

87. There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.

- George Washington

88. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

- George Washington

89. If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

- George Washington

90. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

- George Washington

91. 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

92. 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

93. Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.

- George Washington

94. I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, the foundation of happiness or misery.

- George Washington

95. 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