george-washington Quotes About mankind

“Nothing can illustrate these observations more forcibly, than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and circumstances, under which our Republic assumed its rank among the Nations; The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epoch when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period, the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have been carried to a great extent, the Treasures of knowledge, acquired by the labours of Philosophers, Sages and Legislatures, through a long succession of years, are laid open for our use, and their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of Government; the free cultivation of Letters, the unbounded extension of Commerce, the progressive refinement of Manners, the growing liberality of sentiment... have had a meliorating influence on mankind and increased the blessings of Society. At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own. [Circular to the States, 8 June 1783 - Writings 26:484--89]”

Mind Use Government America Happiness Knowledge Rights Mankind Ignorance Research Foundation Founding Superstition Philosophers George Washington Sages Founding Father

Book:Writings

Source: Writings

“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.”

Government Happiness Form Law Imagination Liberty Mankind Security Property Contrary Republic Forms Of Government Phantoms Secured Deluded Republicanism

Book:Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

“It is a maxim, founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest; and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it.”

Politics Nations Interest Mankind Politician Universal Bounds Trusted Venture Maxims Statesmen Prudent

Book:Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution. June, 1775, to July, 1776 (v. 3); July, 1776, to July, 1777 (v. 4); July, 1777, to July, 1778 (v. 5); July, 1778, to March, 1780 (v. 6); March, 1780, to April, 1781 (v. 7); April, 1781, to December, 1783 (v. 8)

Source: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution. June, 1775, to July, 1776 (v. 3); July, 1776, to July, 1777 (v. 4); July, 1777, to July, 1778 (v. 5); July, 1778, to March, 1780 (v. 6); March, 1780, to April, 1781 (v. 7); April, 1781, to December, 1783 (v. 8)

“I rejoice in a belief that intellectual light will spring up in the dark corners of the earth; that freedom of enquiry will produce liberality of conduct; that mankind will reverse the absurd position that the many were, made for the few; and that they will not continue slaves in one part of the globe, when they can become freemen in another.”

Made War Light Earth Belief Dark Mankind Position Produce Intellectual Spring Slave Corners Absurd Rejoice Reverse Globes Freeman Enquiry Liberality

Book:The Papers of George Washington: April-June 1789

Source: The Papers of George Washington: April-June 1789

“The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.”

Light Christianity Influence Mankind Pure Revelations Benign

Book:Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral and Religious

Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral and Religious

“It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.”

People Giving States Nations Justice Novel Mankind Example Periods Worthy Enlightened Benevolence Exalted Great Nations Farewell Address Magnanimous

Book:Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America

Source: Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America

“The thinking part of mankind do not form their judgment from events; and their equity will ever attach equal glory to those actions which deserve success, and those which have been crowned with it.”

Thinking Has Beens Action Form Success Mankind Events Equal Judgment Glory Deserve Equity

Book:Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

“If there was the same propensity in mankind for investigating the motives, as there is for censuring the conduct, of public characters, it would be found that the censure so freely bestowed is oftentimes unmerited and uncharitable.”

Ifs Character Would Be Found Mankind Motive Propensity Censure Investigating

Book:The Writings of George Washington: pt. IV. Letters official and private, from the beginning of his presidency to the end of his life: (v. 10) May, 1789-November, 1794. (v. 11) November, 1794-December, 1799

Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. IV. Letters official and private, from the beginning of his presidency to the end of his life: (v. 10) May, 1789-November, 1794. (v. 11) November, 1794-December, 1799

“Let us impart all the blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind.”

Whole Asks Mankind Blessing Impart Whole Family

Author:George Washington

“A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle... Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.”

“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.”

Giving States America United Liberty United States Mankind Policy Example Citizens Conscience Worthy Imitation United States Of America Citizenship Immunity Religious Bigotry

Book:George Washington on religious liberty and mutual understanding: selections from Washington's letters

Source: George Washington on religious liberty and mutual understanding: selections from Washington's letters

“The prospect, that a good general government will in all human probability be soon established in America, affords me more substantial satisfaction; than I have ever before derived from any political event. Because there is a rational ground for believing that not only the happiness of my own countrymen, but that of mankind in general, will be promoted by it.”

Believe Humans Government America Political My Own Mankind Events Satisfaction Rational Probability Countrymen

Book:The Writings of George Washington: pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789

Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789

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

Government Left Mankind 4th Of July

Book:The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States

Source: The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States

“My first wish is, to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent amusements, than in preparing implements, and exercising them, for the destruction of mankind.”

Firsts War Earth Wish Peace Mankind Conservative Anti War Antiwar Plague 4th Of July Peace War Great War Total War Call Of Duty Bubonic Plague

Author:George Washington

“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.”

Ifs Wells Has Beens Said Reason Loses Imagine Mankind Accounts Supreme Reasoning Attempting Obliged Without God Supreme Being

Book:Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

“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.”

Source: The Writings of George Washington: 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

“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 to be deprecated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society.”

Source: George Washington on religious liberty and mutual understanding: selections from Washington's letters

“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.”

Might America Nations Atheism Land Mankind Safe Immigration Virtuous Migration American Citizens Asylums Persecuted America Land

Book:The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot

Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot

“Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.”

“And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind, had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining.”

World Humans Lasts Mankind Stage Human Nature Example Capable Dignity Perfection Occasions Glorious This Day Posterity

Book:The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private

Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private

“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!”

Causes Mankind Revolution Noble American Revolution

Book:The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799

Source: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799

“For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.”

Source: Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts

“We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government.”

World Made Government Progress Modern Mankind This World Perfection Modern Times

Book:The Writings of George Washington: pt.III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789. 1835

Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt.III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789. 1835

“Happiness is more effectually dispensed to mankind under a republican form of government than any other.”

Government Form Mankind Republican Historical Forms Of Government

Author:George Washington

“Men are very apt to run into extremes, hatred to England may carry come into an excess of Confidence in France... I am heartily disposed to entertain the most favourable sentiments of our new ally and to cherish them in others to a reasonable degree; but it is a maxim founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest; and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it.”

Source: The Writings of George Washington: From the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799

“To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.”

Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses

“The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.”

Humans Art Country States Mankind Lovers Essentials Claims Encouragement Prosperity Primaries Human Life Ornaments Art And Science Art Education Music Education

Book:The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts

Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts

“Freemasonry is an institution founded on eternal reason and truth; whose deep basis is the civilization of mankind, and whose everlasting glory it is to have the immovable support of those two mighty pillars, science and morality.”

Two Reason Support Mankind Morality Civilization Eternal Glory Bases Institutions Everlasting Pillars Masons Masonic Freemasonry

Author:George Washington

“So far as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines of Freemasonry, I conceive it to be founded in benevolence and to be exercised only for the good of mankind.”

Principles Mankind Doctrine Benevolence Masons Masonic Freemasonry

Book:The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799

Source: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799

“Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind.”

Virtue Mankind Talent Integrity Gains Valuable Brilliant Esteem Accomplishment Finest Piety

Book:Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious

“Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by difference of sentiment in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated.”

Source: 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

“The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epoch when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period.”

Age President Rights Mankind Ignorance Periods Understood Foundation Defined Former Empires Superstitions Gloomy Epoch

Book:The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States

Source: The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States

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