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George Washington Quotes
Read George Washington Quotes from his diaries, speeches, letters and documents.
George Washington was one of the great leaders of the Revolutionary War. Find out
what he thought about many things facing himself and the new country. These
George Washington Quotes are listed in chronological order with links to more
at the bottom.
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George Washington
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For a list of interesting George Washington Facts,
click here.
George Washington Quotes
"Treason of the blackest dye was yesterday discovered! General Arnold who commanded
at Westpoint, lost to every sentiment of honor, of public and private obligation,
was about to deliver up that important Post into the hands of the enemy. Such an
event must have given the American cause a deadly wound if not fatal stab.
Happily the treason had been timely discovered to prevent the fatal misfortune.
The providential train of circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing
proof that the Liberties of America are the object of divine Protection.
At the same time that the Treason is to be regretted the General cannot help
congratulating the Army on the happy discovery. Our Enemies despairing of carrying
the point by force are practising every base art to effect by bribery and Corruption
what they cannot accomplish in a manly way.
Great honor is due to the American Army that this is the first instance of Treason
of the kind where many were to be expected from the nature of the dispute, and
nothing is so bright an ornament in the Character of the American soldiers as
their having been proof against all the arts and seduction of an insidious enemy.
Arnold has made his escape to the Enemy but Mr. Andre the Adjutant General to the
British Army who came out as a spy to negotiate the Business is our Prisoner. His
Excellency the commander in Chief has arrived at West-point from Harford and is
no doubt taking the proper measures to unravel fully, so hellish a plot."
- General Orders, September 26, 1780
"In no instance since the commencement of the war, has the interposition of
Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous than in the rescue of the post
and garrison of West point from Arnold's villainous perfidy." - Letter to
John Laurens, October 13, 1780
"We have, as you very justly observe,
abundant reason to thank Providence for its many favorable interpositions in our
behalf. It has at times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed
to have failed us." - Letter to William Gordon, March, 1781
"We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past
errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience. To enveigh
against things that are past and irremediable, is unpleasing; but to steer
clear of the shelves and rocks we have struck upon, is the part of wisdom,
equally as incumbent on political as other men, who have their own little
bark, or that of others, to navigate through the intricate paths of life,
or the trackless ocean, to the haven of security and rest." - Letter to
Major General Armstrong, March 26, 1781
Here are Some More
George Washington Quotes
George
Washington
"The commander-in-chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty
should universally attend with that seriousness of deportment and gratitude
of heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interposition
of Providence demands of us." - General Orders, after British surrender at
Yorktown, October 19, 1781
"Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive. And with it,
everything honorable and glorious." - Letter to Gilbert du Motier, November
15, 1781
"I take a particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing Hand of
Heaven, in the various instances of our extensive Preparation for this Operation
(Yorktown), has been most conspicuous and remarkable." - Letter to Thomas
McKean, November 15, 1781
"I can truly say, that the first wish of my Soul is to return speedily into
the bosom of that country, which gave me birth, and, in the sweet enjoyment
of domestic happiness and the company of a few friends, to end my days in
quiet, when I shall be called from this stage." - Letter to Archibald
Cary, June 15, 1782
"Conscience... seldom comes to a man's aid while he is in the zenith of health
and revelling in pomp and luxury upon illgotten spoils. It is generally the
last act of his life, and it comes too late to be of much service to others
here, or to himself hereafter." - Letter to John P. Posey, August 7, 1782
"Painful as the task is to describe the dark side of our affairs, it sometimes
becomes a matter of indispensable necessity." - Letter to the Secretary of
War, October 2, 1782
"I have accustomed myself to judge of human actions very differently, and to
appreciate them, by the manner in which they are conducted, more than by the
Events; which, it is not in the power of human foresight or prudence to
command." - Letter to Benjamin Tallmadge, December 10, 1782
A few more
George Washington Quotes
"It is yet to be decided whether the Revolution must ultimately be considered
as a blessing or a curse: a blessing or a curse, not to the present age alone,
for with our fate will the destiny of unborn millions be involved." - Circular
to the States, 1783
"And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity
to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind,
had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection
to which human nature is capable of attaining." - The Newburgh Address,
January 2, 1783
"The last thing I shall mention, is first of importance and that is, to avoid
gaming. This is a vice which is productive of every possible evil, equally
injurious to the morals and health of its votaries. It is the child of avarice,
the brother of inequity, and father of mischief. It has been the ruin of many
worthy families; the loss of many a man's honor; and the cause of suicide. To
all those who enter the list, it is equally fascinating; the successful gamester
pushes his good fortune till it is overtaken by a reverse; the losing gamester,
in hopes of retrieving past misfortunes, goes on from bad to worse; till grown
desperate, he pushes at everything; and loses his all. In a word, few gain by
this abominable practice (the profit, if any, being diffused) while thousands
are injured." - Letter to Lawrence Lewis, January 15, 1783
"It is not the mere study of the Law, but to become eminent in the profession
of it, which is to yield honor and profit." - Letter to Bushrod Washington,
January 15, 1783
"It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however
irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves
to them." - Letter to Bushrod Washington, January 15, 1783
"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of every one, and let
your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the estimation
of the widow's mite, but, that it is not every one who asketh that deserveth
charity; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer."
- Letter to Bushrod Washington, January 15, 1783
"Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers
make fine birds." - Letter to Bushrod Washington, January 15, 1783
"Avoid gaming. This is a vice which is productive of every possible evil;
equally injurious to the morals and health of its votaries. It is the child
of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and father of mischief. It has been
the ruin of many worthy families, the loss of many a man's honor, and the
cause of Suicide. To all those who enter the lists, it is equally fascinating.
The successful gamester pushes his good fortune, till it is overtaken by a
reverse. The losing gamester, in hopes of retrieving past misfortunes, goes
on from bad to worse, till grown desperate he pushes at everything and loses
his all. In a word, few gain by this abominable practice, (the profit if any
being diffused) while thousands are injured." - Letter to Bushrod Washington,
January 15, 1783
"Merit rarely goes unrewarded." - Letter to Bushrod Washington, January 15,
1783
"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." - Letter to Bushrod Washington, January
15, 1783
"Imaginary wants are indefinite; and oftentimes insatiable; because they
sometimes are boundless, and always changing." - Letter to John Augustine
Washington, January 16, 1783
"The true distinction... between what is called a fine Regiment, and an
indifferent one will ever, upon investigation, be found to originate in, and
depend upon the care, or the inattention, of the Officers belonging to them."
- Letter to Major Thomas Lansdale, January 25, 1783
"If Historiographers should be hardy enough to fill the page of History with
the advantages that have been gained with unequal numbers, on the part of
America, in the course of this contest, and attempt to relate the distressing
circumstances under which they have been obtained it is more than probable
that Posterity will bestow on their labors the epithet and marks of fiction;
for it will not be believed that such a force as Great Britain has employed
for eight years in this Country could be baffled in their plan of Subjugating
it by numbers infinitely less, composed of Men oftentimes half starved; always
in Rags, without pay, and experiencing, at times, every species of distress
which human nature is capable of undergoing." - Letter to Major General
Nathaniel Greene, February 6, 1783
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