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George Washington Quotes
Here are some more George Washington Quotes. These quotes in his own words will
give you some insight into George Washington's character and beliefs unlike
reading the opinions of other authors about him. These George Washington Quotes
are listed chronologically and there are links to more at the bottom.
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George Washington
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For a list of interesting George Washington Facts,
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George Washington Quotes
"It has ever been a maxim with me through life, neither to promote, nor to
prevent a matrimonial connection, unless there should be something indispensably
requiring interference in the latter. I have always considered marriage as the
most interesting event of one's life, the foundation of happiness or misery.
To be instrumental therefore in bringing two people together who are indifferent
to each other, and may soon become objects of hatred; or to prevent a union which
is prompted by mutual esteem and affection, is what I never could reconcile to my
feelings; and therefore, neither directly nor indirectly have I ever said a syllable
to Fanny or George upon the subject of their intended connexion. But as their
attachment to each other seems to have been early formed, warm and lasting, it
bids fair to be happy: if therefore you have no objection, I think the sooner
it is consummated the better." - Letter to Burwell Bassett, September 20,
1783
"To the various branches of the Army, the General takes this last and solemn
opportunity of professing his inviolable attachment & friendship--He wishes
more than bare professions were in his power, that he was really able to be
usefull to them all in future life; He flatters himself however, they will do
him the justice to believe, that whatever could with propriety be attempted by
him, has been done. And being now to conclude these his last public Orders, to
take his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the Military Character, and to
bid a final adieu to the Armies he has so long had the honor to Command--he
can only again offer in their behalf his recommendations to their grateful
Country, and his prayers to the God of Armies. May ample justice be done them
here, and may the choicest of Heaven's favors both here and hereafter attend
those, who under the divine auspices have secured innumerable blessings for
others: With these Wishes, and this benediction, the Commander in Chief is
about to retire from s rvice--The Curtain of seperation will soon be drawn--and
the Military Scene to him will be closed for ever." - Farewell Orders to
the Army, November 2, 1783
"The establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive which
induced me to the Field - the object is attained - and it now remains to be
my earnest wish & prayer, that the Citizens of the United States could make
a wise and virtuous use of the blessings placed before them." - Letter to
the Reformed German Congregation of New York City, November 27, 1783
"For my own part, Gentlemen, in whatever situation I shall be hereafter, my
supplications, will ever ascend to Heaven, for the prosperity of my Country
in general; and for the individual happiness of those who are attached to
the Freedom, and Independence of America." - Letter to the Freeholders
and Inhabitants of Kings County, December 1, 1783
"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable
Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom
we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by
decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment."
- Address to the Members of the Volunteer Association of Ireland, December
2, 1783
"I cannot bid adieu to the Acquaintances and Connections I have formed while
acting in a public character without experiencing a certain pleasing, melancholy
sensation, pleasing because I leave my Country in the full possession of Liberty
and Independence; Melancholy because I bid my friends a long, perhaps a last
farewell." - Letter to the Citizens of New Brunswick, December 6, 1783
"For me, it is enough to have seen the divine Arm visibly outstretched for our
deliverance, and to have received the approbation of my Country, and my Conscience..."
- Letter to the Legislature of New Jersey, December 7, 1783
"While the various Scenes of the War, in which I have experienced the timely
aid of the Militia of Philadelphia, recur to my mind, my ardent prayer ascends
to Heaven that they may long enjoy the blessings of that Peace which has been
obtained by the divine benediction on our common exertions." - Letter to
the Militia Officers of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, December 12,
1783
Here are Some More
George Washington Quotes
George
Washington
"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." - Address to Congress on Resigning his
Commission, December 23, 1783
"Notwithstanding the jealous and contracted temper which seems to prevail in
some of the States, yet I cannot but hope and believe that the good sense of
the people will ultimately get the better of their prejudices; and that order
and sound policy, tho' they do not come so soon as one wou'd wish, will be
produced from the present unsettled and deranged state of public affairs."
- Letter to Jonathan Trumbull, January 5, 1784
"At length, my dear marquis, I am become a private citizen on the banks of
the Potomac and under the shadow of my own vine and my own fig-tree, free
from the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing
myself with those tranquil enjoyments of which the soldier who is ever in
pursuit of fame, the statesman whose watchful days and sleepless nights are
spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own, perhaps the
ruin of other countries, as if the globe was insufficient for us all, and
the Courtier who is always watching the countenance of his Prince, in hopes
of catching a gracious smile, can have very little conception. I have not
only retired from all public employments, but I am retiring within myself,
and shall be able to view the solitary walk of private life with heartfelt
satisfaction. Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with all; and
this, my dear friend, being the order of my march, I will move gently down
the stream of life until I sleep with my fathers." - Letter to the Marquis
de Lafayette, February 1, 1784
"To a beneficent Providence, and to the fortitude of a brave and virtuous
Army, supported by the general exertion of our common Country I stand indebted
for the plaudits you now bestow; ...my sensibility of them is heightened by
their coming from the respectable Inhabitants of the place of my growing
Infancy and the honorable mention which is made of my revered Mother; by
whose Maternal hand, early deprived of a father, I was led from Childhood."
- Letter to the inhabitants of Fredericksburg, February 14, 1784
"Dear Sir: I am informed that a Ship with Palatines is gone up to Baltimore,
among whom are a number of Tradesmen. I am a good deal in want of a House
Joiner and Bricklayer, (who really understand their profession) and you
would do me a favor by purchasing one of each, for me. I would not confine
you to Palatines. If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or
Europe. They may be Mahometans, Jews or Christian of an Sect, or they may
be Atheists. I would however prefer middle aged, to young men." - Letter
to Tench Tilghman, March 24, 1784
"I will frankly declare to you, my dear doctor, that any memoirs of my life,
distinct and unconnected with the general history of the war, would rather
hurt my feelings than tickle my pride whilst I lived. I had rather glide
gently down the stream of life, leaving it to posterity to think and say
what they please of me, than by any act of mine to have vanity or ostentation
imputed to me. I do not think vanity is a trait of my character." - Letter
to Dr. James Craik, March 25, 1784
"I do not think vanity is a trait of my character." - Letter to Dr. James
Craik, March 25, 1784
"A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who
will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything." - Letter to
Benjamin Harrison, October 10, 1784
"It is easier to prevent than to remedy an evil." - Letter to Richard
Henry Lee, December 14, 1784
A few more
George Washington Quotes
"The best means of forming a manly, virtuous, and happy people will be found
in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means,
in my opinion, must fail." - Letter to George Chapman, December 15,
1784
"Letters of friendship require no study." - Letter to Major General Henry
Knox, January 5, 1785
"I am clearly in sentiment with her Ladyship, that christianity will never
make any progress among the Indians, or work any considerable reformation
in their principles, until they are brought to a state of greater civilization;
and the mode by which she means to attempt this, as far as I have been able to
give it consideration, is as likely to succeed as any other that could have been
devised... As I am well acquainted with the President of Congress, I will in
the course of a few days write him a private letter on this subject giving the
substance of Lady Huntington's plan and asking his opinion of the encouragement
it might expect to receive from Congress if it should be brought before that
honorable body. ...Without reverberating the arguments in support of the humane
and benevolent intention of Lady Huntington to christianize and reduce to a state
of civilization the Savage tribes within the limits of the American States, or
discanting upon the adv ntages which the Union may derive from the Emigration
which is blended with, and becomes part of the plan, I highly approve of them..."
- Letter to Sir James Jay, referring to Countess Huntington's plans to
evangelize the Indians, January 25, 1785
"Towards the latter part of the year 1783 I was honored with a letter from
the Countess of Huntington, briefly reciting her benevolent intention of
spreading Christianity among the Tribes of Indians inhabiting our Western
Territory; and Expressing a desire of my advice and assistance to carry this
charitable design into execution... Her Ladyship has spoken so feelingly
and sensibly, on the religious and benevolent purposes of the plan, that
no language of which I am possessed, can add aught to enforce her observations..."
- Letter to Richard Henry Lee, February 8, 1785
"My Lady... With respect to your humane and benevolent intentions towards the
Indians, and the plan which your Ladyship has adopted to carry them into effect,
they meet my highest approbation; and I should be very happy to find every
possible encouragement given to them... I have written fully to the President
of Congress, with whom I have a particular intimacy, and transmitted copies of
your Ladyships plan, addresses and letter to the several States therein mentioned,
with my approving sentiments thereon..." - Letter to Countess Huntington, a
prominent English evangelical leader, February 27, 1785
"It is a maxim with me Sir, to take no liberties with exalted characters to whom
I am not personally known, or with whom I have had no occasion to correspond by
letter." - Letter to Jacob Gerhard Diriks, March 15, 1785
"The scheme, my dear Marqs. which you propose as a precedent, to encourage the
emancipation of the black people of this Country from that state of Bondage in
wch. they are held, is a striking evidence of the benevolence of your Heart. I
shall be happy to join you in so laudable a work." - Letter to the Marquis
de Lafayette, April 5, 1785
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