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George Washington Quotes

1st U.S. President

George Washington was the first President of the United States and a key figure in the American Revolutionary War. Born on February 22, 1732, and died on December 14, 1799, Washington is known for his strong leadership and belief in democracy, playing a crucial role in American history.

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Famous George Washington Quotes

“For myself the delay [in assuming the office of the President] may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure you, with the world it would obtain little credit that 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: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities and inclination which is necessary to manage the helm.”

“May the same wonderworking Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors and planted them in the promised land, whose Providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.”

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

“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of every one, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the estimation of the widow's mite, but, that it is not every one who asketh that deserveth charity; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer.”

Giving Feels Heart May Hands Remember Suffering Charity Worthy Proportion Distress Affliction Inquiry Purses Deserving Widows Estimation

Book: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

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

“I assure you very explicitly, that in my opinion the conscientious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy and tenderness: and it is my wish and desire, that the laws may always be extensively accommodated to them, as a due regard for the protection and essential interests of the nation may justify and permit.”

Source: Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses

“When once the woman has tempted us, and we have tasted the forbidden fruit, there is no such thing as checking our appetites, whatever the consequences may be.”

May Consequence Fruit Appetite Seduction Forbidden Tempted Forbidden Fruit

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

“May 12-13: Sowed Hemp at Muddy hole by Swamp. August 7: Began to separate the Male from the Female at Do - rather too late.”

May Late Female Males Holes Too Late August Cannabis Muddy Swamps Hemp

Author:George Washington

“Reason, too late perhaps, may convince you of the folly of misspending time.”

May Reason Time Late Folly Too Late Convince Spending Time

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

“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Experience has taught us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession, and when the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

May Reason Government Force Freedom Enemy Taken Fire Dangerous Taught Masters Easier Speech Silent Possession Dumb Servant Fearful Sheep Freedom Of Speech Slaughter Eloquent Taught Us

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

“All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity.”

Humans May America Office Connections Rounds Admire Promoting Felicity Glare

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

“Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy.”

May Enemy Glad Misfortunes

Author:George Washington

“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

“..avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen, which we ourselves ought to bear.”

Source: Monuments of Washington's Patriotism: Containing a Fac Simile of His Publick Accounts Kept During the Revolutionary War; and Some of the Most Interesting Documents Connected with His Military Command and Civil Administration; Embracing, Among Others, the Farewell Address to the People of the United States

“As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.”

Firsts May America Situation Principles Fixed Precedent

Book:George Washington: A Collection

Source: George Washington: A Collection

“Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable.”

May Morning Habit Healthy Familiar Profitable

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

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

“The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest purposes.”