Top 450 George Washington Quotes (2025 Update)
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251. “We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture.”

— George Washington

252. “If we mean to support the liberty and independence which has cost us so much blood and treasure to establish, we must drive far away the demon of party spirit and local reproach.”

— George Washington

253. “I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”

— George Washington

254. “We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.”

— George Washington

255. “We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation.”

— George Washington

256. “No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.”

— George Washington

257. “I consider it an indispensible duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into his Holy keeping.”

— George Washington

258. “Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.”

— George Washington

259. “I hate deception, even where the imagination only is concerned.”

— George Washington

260. “Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.”

— George Washington

261. “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

— George Washington

262. “Alas! Our dancing days are no more. We wish, however, all those who have a relish for so agreeable and innocent an amusement all the pleasure the season will afford them.”

— George Washington

263. “There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.”

— George Washington

264. “In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.”

— George Washington

265. “There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money.”

— George Washington

266. “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.”

— George Washington

267. “I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.”

— George Washington

268. “I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.”

— George Washington

269. “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.”

— George Washington

270. “I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit, and reward the brave and deserving.”

— George Washington

271. “Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.”

— George Washington

272. “Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

274. “A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite.”

— George Washington

275. “It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.”

— George Washington

276. “Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are fighting for the blessings of liberty.”

— George Washington

277. “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.”

— George Washington

278. “Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

280. “Avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, we should remember also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it.”

— George Washington

281. “Precedents are dangerous things; let the rein of government then be braced and held with a steady hand.”

— George Washington

282. “When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.”

— George Washington

283. “I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.”

— George Washington

284. “Since the death of my father four years ago, our lives have become difficult, and I must help my family.”

— George Washington

285. “To the efficacy and permanency of your union a government for the whole is indispensable.”

— George Washington

286. “Providence has at all times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us.”

— George Washington

287. “Working on your biceps? Try chopping down a cherry tree.”

— George Washington

288. “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?”

— George Washington

289. “My own remedy is always to eat, just before I step into bed, a hot roasted onion, if I have a cold.”

— George Washington

290. “It’s wonderful what we can do if we’re always doing.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

292. “I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; and little or no diplomatic establishment.”

— George Washington

293. “Speak seldom, but to important subjects, except such as particularly relate to your constituents, and, in the former case, make yourself perfectly master of the subject.”

— George Washington

294. “War – An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.”

— George Washington

295. “All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency.”

— George Washington

296. “Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man grave settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not, at every turn, what others say.”

— George Washington

297. “The Constitution which at any time exists, ’till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People is sacredly obligatory upon all.”

— George Washington

298. “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.”

— George Washington

299. “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

300. “Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.”

— George Washington