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George Washington Quotes - Page 27

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To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff.

To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff.

George Washington
War, Broken, Staff
George Washington (1871). “Words of Washington”, p.61

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 . . . .

George Washington
Government, Shadow, Substance
George Washington, David Maydole Matteson, United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1931). “The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799”

The ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice of it not to be scanned by the shallow eye of humanity, nor to be counteracted by the utmost efforts of human power or wisdom, resignation, and as far as the strength of our reason and religion can carry us, a cheerful acquiescence to the Divine Will, is what we are to aim.

George Washington
Eye, Justice, Effort
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson, United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1944). “The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799: prepared under the direction of the United States George Washington bicentennial commission and published by authority of Congress”

To the security of a free Constitution it [knowledge] contributes in various ways: by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights, to discern and provide against invasions of them, to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority, between burdens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of society.

George Washington
Teaching, Exercise, Rights

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.

George Washington
Thanksgiving, People, Thursday
Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

It is among the evils, and perhaps not the smallest, of democratical governments, that the people must feel before they will see. When this happens they are roused to action. Hence it is that those kinds of government are so slow.

George Washington
Government, People, Evil
George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.21

[T]he first transactions of a nation, like those of an individual upon his first entrance into life make the deepest impression, and are to form the leading traits in its character.

George Washington
Character, Firsts, Individual

We should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn.

George Washington
Action, Should, Risque
George Washington (1997). “Writings”

It is to be lamented that great characters are seldom without a blot.

George Washington
Character, Greatness, Great Character
George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.14, Rowman & Littlefield

Providence has done, and I am persuaded is disposed to do, a great deal for us; but we are not to forget the fable of Jupiter and the countryman.

George Washington
Jupiter, Done, Fables
George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.57

I wish to see the sons and daughters of the world in Peace and busily employed in the more agreeable amusement of fulfilling the first and great commandment, Increase and Multiply : as an encouragement to which we have opened the fertile plains of the Ohio to the poor, the needy and the oppressed of the Earth; any one therefore who is heavy laden, or who wants land to cultivate, may repair thither and abound, as in the Land of promise, with milk and honey: the ways are preparing, and the roads will be made easy, thro' the channels of Potomac and James river.

George Washington
Daughter, Encouragement, Son

Alas! Our dancing days are no more. We wish, however, all those who have a relish for so agreeable and innocent an amusement all the pleasure the season will afford them.

George Washington
Dance, Dancing, Wish
George Washington (1860). “Recollections and private memoirs of Washington by his adopted son George Washington with a memoir of the author by his daughter; and illustrative and explanatory notes by Benson J. Loosing: With illustrations”, p.366

Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other and all tugging at the federal head, will soon bring ruin on the whole.

George Washington
Tugging, Ruins, Thirteen
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1835). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private”, p.208

There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.

George Washington
Weakness, United States, Reputation
United States. President, George Washington, United States (1825). “The speeches, addresses and messages, of the several presidents of the United States, at the openings of Congress and at their respective inaugurations: Also, the Declaration of independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's farewell address to his fellow-citizens”, p.62

Soap is another article in great demand--the Continental allowance is too small, and dear, as every necessary of life is now got, a soldier's pay will not enable him to purchase, by which means his consequent dirtiness adds not a little to the disease of the Army.

George Washington
Mean, Army, Soldier
George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1777). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.441

Diffidence in an officer is a good mark because he will always endeavor to bring himself up to what he conceives to be the full line of his duty.

George Washington
Lines, Endeavor, Mark
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1839). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts”, p.399

The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize.

George Washington
Real, Home, Government
George Washington (1810). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States”, p.7

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

George Washington
Government, Perfection, Progress
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1835). “The Writings of George Washington: pt.III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789. 1835”, p.318

I rejoice that liberty . . . now finds an asylum in the bosom of a regularly organized government; a government, which, being formed to secure happiness of the French people, corresponds with the ardent wishes of my heart, while it gratifies the pride of every citizen of the United States, by its resemblance to their own.

George Washington
Heart, Pride, Government

Submit your sentiments with diffidence. A dictatorial style, though it may carry conviction, is always accompanied with disgust.

George Washington
Style, May, Conviction
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1847). “pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789”, p.280