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George Washington Quotes
These George Washington Quotes will give you insight into the principles
that made this man one of the great heros of the Revolutionary War.
These inspirational quotes are taken from his diaries,
letter, speeches and documents. These George Washington Quotes are listed
in chronological order and there are links to more on the bottom of this page.
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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
"I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one's
life, the foundation of happiness or misery." - Letter to Burwell Bassett,
May 23, 1785
"Altho, no man's sentiments are more opposed to any kind of restraint upon
religious principles than mine are; yet I must confess, that I am not amongst
the number of those who are so much alarmed at the thoughts of making people
pay towards the support of that which they profess, if of the denomination
of Christians; or declare themselves Jews, Mahomitans or otherwise, and
thereby obtain proper relief. As the matter now stands, I wish an assessment
had never been agitated, and as it has gone so far, that the Bill could die
an easy death; because I think it will be productive of more quiet to the
State, than by enacting it into a Law; which, in my opinion, would be
impolitic, admitting there is a decided majority for it, to the disquiet
of a respectable minority. In the first case the matter will soon subside;
in the latter, it will rankle and perhaps convulse, the State." - Letter
to George Mason, October 3, 1785
"Jealousy, and local policy mix too much in all our public councils for the
good government of the Union. In a words, the confederation appears to me to
be little more than a shadow without the substance..." - Letter to James
Warren, October 7, 1785
"We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all
maters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to
promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer
act a farce by pretending to it." - Letter to James Madison, November 30,
1785
"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." - Letter to
James Madison, November 30, 1785
"There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan
adopted for the abolition of it." - Letter to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786
"I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than
I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it (slavery); but there is
only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that
is by Legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage (vote and support)
will go, shall never be wanting." - Letter to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786
"Your late purchase of an estate in the colony of Cayenne, with a view of
emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble proof of your humanity.
Would to God a like spirit would diffuse itself generally into the minds of
the people of this country, but I despair of seeing it. Some petitions were
presented to the Assembly at its last session for the abolition of slavery,
but they could scarcely obtain a reading." - Letter to the Marquis de
Lafayette, May 10, 1786
Here are Some More
George Washington Quotes
George
Washington
"The benevolence of your heart my Dr. Marqs. is so conspicuous upon all occasions,
that I never wonder at any fresh proofs of it; but your late purchase of an estate
in the colony of Cayenne, with a view of emancipating the slaves on it, is a
generous and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit would
diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country; but I
despair of seeing it. Some petitions were presented to the Assembly, at its
last Session, for the abolition of slavery, but they could scarcely obtain a
reading. To set them afloat at once would, I really believe, be productive of
much inconvenience and mischief; but by degrees it certainly might, and assuredly
ought to be effected; and that too by Legislative authority." - Letter to the
Marquis de Lafayette, May 10, 1786
"I coincide perfectly in sentiment with you, my Dr. Sir, that there are errors
in our national Government which call for correction, loudly I would add; but I
shall find myself happily mistaken if the remedies are at hand. We are certainly
in a delicate situation, but my fear is that the people are not yet sufficiently
misled to retract from error. To be plainer, I think there is more wickedness
than ignorance mixed in our Councils. Under this impression, I scarcely know
what opinion to entertain of a general convention. That it is necessary to revise
and amend the articles of confederation, I entertain no doubt; but what may be
the consequences of such an attempt is doubtful. Yet something must be done, or
the fabrick must fall, for it certainly is tottering. Ignorance and design are
difficult to combat. Out of these proceed illiberal sentiments, improper jealousies,
and a train of evils which oftentimes, in republican governments, must be sorely
felt before they can be removed. The former, that is ignorance, being a fit soil
for the latter to work in, tools are employed by them which a generous mind would
disdain to use; and which nothing but time, and their own puerile or wicked
productions can show the inefficacy and dangerous tendency of. I think often of
our situation and view it with concern. From the high ground we stood upon, from
the plain path which invited our footsteps, to be so fallen! so lost! it is really
mortifying; but virtue, I fear has, in a great degree, taken its departure from us;
and the want of disposition to do justice is the source of the national embarrassments;
for whatever guise or colorings are given to them, this I apprehend is the origin of
the evils we now feel, and probably shall labour under for some time yet." - Letter
to John Jay, May 18, 1786
"Ignorance and design are difficult to combat. Out of these proceed illiberal sentiments,
improper jealousies, and a train of evils which oftentimes in republican governments
must be sorely felt before they can be renewed." - Letter to John Jay, May 18,
1786
"Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes
their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last." - Letter to the
Marquis de Lafayette, July 25, 1785
"Let the poor the needy and oppressed of the Earth, and those who want Land, resort
to the fertile plains of our western country, the second land of Promise, and there
dwell in peace, fulfilling the first and great commandment." - Letter to David
Humphreys, July 25, 1785
A few more
George Washington Quotes
"My first wish is to see this plaque to mankind banished from off the earth, and
the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent
amusements, than in preparing implements and exercising them for the destruction
of mankind." - Letter to David Humphreys, July 25, 1785
"Rather than quarrel about territory, let the poor, the needy, and oppressed of
the earth, and those who want land, resort to the fertile plains of our western
country, the second land of promise, and there dwell in peace, fulfilling the
first and great commandment." - Letter to David Humphreys, July 25, 1785
"In my opinion, every effort of genius, and all attempts towards improving useful
knowledge ought to meet with encouragement in this country." - Letter to Nicholas
Pike, June 20, 1786
"The foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion,
that Providence will not leave its work imperfect." - Letter to Chevalier de la
Luzerne, August 1, 1786
"Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures
the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power."
- Letter to John Jay, August 1, 1786
"Perfection falls not to the share of mortals." - Letter to John Jay, August 1,
1786
"From thinking proceeds speaking; thence to acting is often but a single step. But
how irrevocable and tremendous!" - Letter to John Jay, August 1, 1786
"More permanent and genuine happiness is to be found in the sequestered walks of
connubial life than in the giddy rounds of promiscuous pleasure." - Letter to
the Marquis de Lafayette, August 10, 1786
"In my estimation, more permanent and genuine happiness is to be found in the
sequestered walks of connubial (married) life than in the giddy rounds of promiscuous
pleasure or the more tumultuous and imposing scenes of successful ambition." - Letter
to Charles Armand-Tuffin, August 10, 1786
"We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of
mortals." - Letter to John Jay, August 15, 1786
"If you tell the Legislatures they have violated the treaty of peace and invaded the
prerogatives of the confederacy they will laugh in your face. What then is to be done?
Things cannot go on in the same train forever. It is much to be feared, as you observe,
that the better kind of people being disgusted with the circumstances will have their
minds prepared for any revolution whatever. We are apt to run from one extreme into
another. To anticipate & prevent disastrous contingencies would be the part of wisdom
& patriotism. What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told
that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without
horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step.
But how irrevocable & tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find
that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of
equal liberty are m rely ideal & fallacious! Would to God that wise measures may be
taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend.
Retired as I am from the world, I frankly acknowledge I cannot feel myself an unconcerned
spectator. Yet having happily assisted in bringing the ship into port & having been fairly
discharged; it is not my business to embark again on a sea of troubles. Nor could it be
expected that my sentiments and opinions would have much weight on the minds of my
Countrymen - they have been neglected, tho' given as a last legacy in the most solemn
manner. I had then perhaps some claims to public attention. I consider myself as having
none at present." - Letter to John Jay, August 15, 1786
We have lots more George Washington Quotes for you!
Did you enjoy these George Washington Quotes? Check out these inspirational quotes from some other Founding Fathers
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