Quotes from George Washington

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.

Worry is the intrest paid by those who borrow trouble.

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.

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.

To persevere in one's duty and be silent, is the best answer to calumny.

I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office.

My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.

Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

Heaven itself has ordained the right.

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world - as far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it.

I beg leave to assure the Congress that no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness. I do not wish to make any profit from it.

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

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

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

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.

To anticipate and prevent disasterous contingencies would be the part of wisdom and patriotism.

Good moral character is the first essential in a man.

Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

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

The views of men can only be known, or guessed at, by their words or actions.

It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

The Commander in Chief directs that Divine service be performed every Sunday at 11 o'clock...It is expected that officers of all ranks will by their attendance set an example to their men.

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

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.