Top 450 George Washington Quotes (2024 Update)
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251. “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

252. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

257. “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

258. “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

259. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

262. “Offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only means of defence.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

265. “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

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

— George Washington

267. “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

268. “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

269. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

272. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

277. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

284. “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

285. “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

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

— George Washington

287. “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

288. “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

289. “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

290. “I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— 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. “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

295. “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

296. “Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human Nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?”

— George Washington

297. “I consider it an indubitable mark of mean-spiritedness and pitiful vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of man.”

— George Washington

298. “Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power.”

— George Washington

299. “There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.”

— George Washington

300. “The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded.”

— George Washington