George Washington Quotes

379 Sourced Quotes

I wish the constitution, which is offered, had been made more perfect; but I sincerely believe it is the best that could be obtained at this time. And, as a constitutional door is opened for amendment hereafter, the adoption of it, under the present circumstances of the Union, is in my opinion desirable.

George Washington
There is no restraining men's tongues or pens when charged with a little vanity.

George Washington
The situation of the general government, if it can be called a government, is shaken to its foundation, and liable to be overturned by every blast.

George Washington
Conscience... seldom comes to a man's aid while he is in the zenith of health and revelling in pomp and luxury upon illgotten spoils. It is generally the last act of his life, and it comes too late to be of much service to others here, or to himself hereafter.

George Washington
In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.

George Washington
The determinations of Providence are always wise, often inscrutable; and, though its decrees appear to bear hard upon us at times, is nevertheless meant for gracious purposes.

George Washington
While all men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of their consciences; it is rationally to be expected from them in return, that they will [demonstrate] the innocence of their lives and the beneficence of their actions; for no man, who is profligate in his morals, or a bad member of the civil community, can possibly be a true Christian, or a credit to his own religious society.

George Washington
It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.

George Washington
I can bear to hear of imputed or real errors. The man who wishes to stand well in the opinion of others must do this; because he is thereby enabled to correct his faults, or remove prejudices which are imbibed against him.

George Washington
A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.

George Washington
Republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination. On the contrary, laws, under no form of government, are better supported, liberty and property better secured, or happiness more effectually dispensed to mankind.

George Washington
I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.

George Washington
To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.

George Washington
The ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice of it not to be scanned by the shallow eye of humanity, nor to be counteracted by the utmost efforts of human power or wisdom, resignation, and as far as the strength of our reason and religion can carry us, a cheerful acquiescence to the Divine Will, is what we are to aim.

George Washington
Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.

George Washington
We should amuse our evening hours of life in cultivating the tender plants, and bringing them to perfection, before they are transplanted to a happier clime.

George Washington
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

George Washington
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

George Washington
In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest

George Washington