Top 450 George Washington Quotes (2026 Update)
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301. “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

302. “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

303. “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

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

— George Washington

305. “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

306. “Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly.”

— George Washington

307. “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

308. “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

309. “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. – March 15, 1783.”

— George Washington

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310. “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

311. “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

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

— George Washington

313. “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

314. “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.”

— George Washington

315. “Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.”

— George Washington

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316. “Laws or ordinances unobserved, or partially attended to, had better never have been made.”

— George Washington

317. “Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors arrogancy.”

— George Washington

318. “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.”

— George Washington

319. “From thinking proceeds speaking; thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous!”

— George Washington

320. “The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

322. “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude. Every man will speak as he thinks, or, more properly, without thinking, and consequently will judge of effects without attending to their causes.”

— George Washington

323. “Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.”

— George Washington

324. “It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being Who rules over the universe, Who presides in the councils of nations, and Whose providential aids can supply every human defect...”

— George Washington

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325. “Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a Nation be just.”

— George Washington

326. “The investigation of mathematical truths accustoms the mind to method and correctness in reasoning, and is an employment peculiarly worthy of rational beings.”

— George Washington

327. “It is one of the evils of democratical governments, that the people, not always seeing and frequently misled, must often feel before they can act.”

— George Washington

328. “I am not only retired from all public employments, but I am retiring within myself, and shall be able to view the solitary walk and tread the paths of private life with heartfelt satisfaction.”

— George Washington

329. “While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.”

— George Washington

330. “I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

332. “For it is fixed principle with me, that whatever is done should be done well.”

— George Washington

333. “Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of the heart.”

— George Washington

334. “It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.”

— George Washington

335. “I cannot conceive a rank more honorable, than that which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a brave and free people, the purest source and original fountain of all power.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

337. “Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.”

— George Washington

338. “Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions.”

— George Washington

339. “As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.”

— George Washington

340. “Unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties.”

— George Washington

341. “An ambassador has no need of spies; his character is always sacred.”

— George Washington

342. “When firearms go, all goes – we need them every hour.”

— George Washington

343. “When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered.”

— George Washington

344. “In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time.”

— George Washington

345. “The most dangerous of all false doctrines is the one seasoned with a little truth. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

— George Washington

346. “Nothing is too extravagant to expect from men who conceive they are ungratefully and unjustly dealt by.”

— George Washington

347. “Where is the man to be found who wishes to remain indebted for the defense of his own person and property to the exertions, the bravery, and the blood of others, without making one generous effort to repay the debt of honor and gratitude?”

— George Washington

348. “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.”

— George Washington

349. “The great Searcher of human hearts is my witness, that I have no wish, which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm.”

— George Washington

350. “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

— George Washington