Quotes from George Washington

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction - to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government.

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.

The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty -- that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.

Unhappy it is, though, to reflect that a brother's sword has been sheathed in a brother's breast and that the once-happy plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?

Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.

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

We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed… we must bear the present evils and fortitude…

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.

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

They came with a Bible and their religion- stole our land, crushed our spirit... and now tell us we should be thankful to the 'Lord' for being saved. Chief Pontiac, American Indian Chieftain

Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.

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.

Of Congress, party disputes and personal quarrels are the great business of the day whilst the momentous concerns of an empire...are but secondary considerations, that business of a trifling nature and personal concernment withdraws their attention from matters of great national moment.

No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable. ~Message to the House of Representatives, 3 December 1793

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.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

George Washington famously warned against ... 'ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. Thomas Paine

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other.

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