Quotes from George Washington

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence . . . the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake.

There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.

Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.

What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.

Let us with Caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?

The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy.

Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?

Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind.

My opinion with respect to immigration is, that except of useful mechanics and some particular description of men and professions, there is no use of encouragement.

To secure respect to a neutral flag requires a naval force organized and ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression.

I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.

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

Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there.

Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal.

We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government.

There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.

Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.

I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

The aggregate happiness of the society, which is best promoted by the practice of a virtuous policy, is, or ought to be, the end of all government . . . .

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.

It is an old adage that honesty is the best policy-this applies to public as well as private life-to States as well as individuals.