Quotes from George Washington

If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.

The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.

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.

The most certain way to make a man your enemy is to tell him you esteem him such.

I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him.

I dare say the men would fight very well if properly officered, although they are an exceedingly dirty and nasty people.

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

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

While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven... I will observe that... no man who is profligate in his morals... can possibly be a true Christian.

The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.

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

Paper money has had the effect in your State that it ever will have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open a door to every species of fraud and injustice.

If you can't send money, send tobacco.

Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable.

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother.

All I am I owe to my mother.

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.

To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.

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

Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward.

The Army, as usual, are without pay; and a great part of the soldiery without shirts; and though the patience of them is equally threadbare, the States seem perfectly indifferent to their cries.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism . . .