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George Washington

George Washington Quotes

1st U.S. President

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Famous George Washington Quotes

“When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the following order: The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing - a vice little known heretofore in the American army - is growing into fashion. Let the men and officers reflect "that we can not hope for the blessing of heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly."”

IfsMenLittlesOrderHeavenKnownPracticeGrowingFashionHe ManBlessingArmySorryVicesFollowingFoolishFollyInsultWickedOfficersCan NotSwearingProfaneCursingFollowing OrdersAmerican Army
Author:George Washington
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“Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your reputation. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth, and pursue it steadily. Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy nation.”

IfsKnowsMenTruthCoursesEvilSpeakNationsQualityHonestyIndustryPromiseNewsHarmonyCarefulEsteemPursueReputationRelateBe CarefulAssociatesUnjustAbsentGood QualityFrugalitySpeak No Evil
Author:George Washington
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“Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?”

IfsMenCountryAsksCausesLibertyLet MeBraveBrave Man
Book:(v. 9) Containing correspondence from the time of resigning his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, to that of his inauguration as president
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“I dare say the men would fight very well if properly officered, although they are an exceedingly dirty and nasty people.”

PeopleIfsMenWellsFightingHe ManRevolutionDareDirtyNastyAmerican RevolutionNasty People
Book:The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799: prepared under the direction of the United States George Washington bicentennial commission and published by authority of Congress
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“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.”

IfsGovernmentSituationConstitutionFoundationBlastLiable
Book:The Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts : with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations
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“Ours is a kind of struggle designed, I dare say, by Providence to try the patience, fortitude, and virtue of men. None, therefore, who is engaged in it, will suffer himself, I trust, to sink under difficulties, or be discouraged by hardships. If he cannot do as he wishes, he must do what he can.”

IfsMenTryingKindSufferingWishStruggleVirtueDifficultyDareEngagedHardshipProvidenceDiscouragedFortitudePiety
Book:Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts
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“But if the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government, and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected thereafter.”

IfsEndsGovernmentLawRepublicanMajorityExpectedConfusionMinoritiesAnarchyPatriotStrokesImpunityRepublican Government
Book:The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States
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“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.”

IfsWorldCountryWholeFailingFailureHonorWhole WorldOur CountryVigorousAmerican RevolutionManlyExertionInfamous
Book:The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private
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“There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money; for when money can be had in this way, repayment is seldom thought of in time, the interest becomes a loss, exertions to raise it by dent of industry cease, it comes easy and is spent freely, and many things (are) indulged in that would never be thought of if (they were) to be purchased by the sweat of the brow.”

IfsWayEasyInterestLossPracticeDangerousIndustryRaisesCeaseSweatBrowsBorrowingExertionBorrowing MoneyRepayment
Author:George Washington
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