George Washington Quotes
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301. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

304. “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

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

307. “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

308. “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

309. “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

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

— George Washington

311. “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

312. “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

313. “I can bear to hear of imputed or real errors. The man who wishes to stand well in the opinion of others must do this; because he is thereby enabled to correct his faults, or remove prejudices which are imbibed against him.”

— George Washington

314. “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

315. “It is incumbent upon every person of every description to contribute to his country’s welfare.”

— George Washington

316. “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

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

— George Washington

318. “Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.”

— George Washington

319. “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

320. “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

321. “System to all things is the soul of business. To execute properly and act maturely is the way to conduct it to your advantage.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

323. “The great mass of our citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.”

— George Washington

324. “We ought to deprecate the hazard attending ardent and susceptible minds, from being too strongly, and too early prepossessed in favor of other political systems, before they are capable of appreciating their own.”

— George Washington

325. “Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.”

— George Washington

326. “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

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

— George Washington

328. “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

329. “It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.”

— George Washington

330. “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

331. “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

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

— George Washington

333. “Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.”

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

— George Washington

336. “A bad war is fought with a good mind.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

338. “I will move gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my fathers.”

— George Washington

339. “The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other considerations.”

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

341. “My anxious recollections, my sympathetic feeling, and my best wishes are irresistibly excited whensoever, in any country, I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom.”

— George Washington

342. “The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.”

— George Washington

343. “The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.”

— George Washington

344. “There is no restraining men’s tongues or pens when charged with a little vanity.”

— George Washington

345. “It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.”

— George Washington

346. “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.”

— George Washington

347. “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

348. “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.”

— George Washington

349. “Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.”

— George Washington

350. “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