George Washington Quotes

"A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything."

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence; true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

"But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."

"Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.

"Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence."


"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."

"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest."

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

"Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."

"I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy."

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."

"It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones."

"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."

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."

"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

"Parade with me my brave fellows, we will have them soon!"

"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."

"The due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government."

"There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen."

"Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive. And with it, everything honorable and glorious."


Also Read Quotations / Quotes by famous personalities