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George Washington Quotes - Page 7

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To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation.

To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation.

George Washington
Deserving It, Evil, Gossip
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.76

A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.

George Washington
Character, Important, Essentials

WHEREAS it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint Committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

George Washington
Thanksgiving, Prayer, Grateful
George Washington's first Presidential Thanksgiving Day proclamation, October 3, 1789.

Let us with Caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.

George Washington
Religious, Godly, Indulge In
George Washington, United States. President (1789-1797 : Washington) (1847). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America: Published in September, 1796”, p.9

Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable as, to a certain point, they may perhaps be necessary; but it is exceedingly to be regretted that subjects cannot be discussed with temper on the one hand, or decisions submitted to without having the motives, which led to them, improperly implicated on the other; and this regret borders on chagrin when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, having the same general objects in view, and the same upright intentions to prosecute them, will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions and actions of one another.

George Washington
Regret, Exercise, Men
Jay A. Parry, Andrew M. Allison, George Washington (1991). “The real George Washington”, Natl Center for Constitutional

We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened Age and in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States.

George Washington
Religious, Heart, Men
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1838). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private”, p.202

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few.

George Washington
Friendship, Best Friend, Intimate Relationships
George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.94

My opinion with respect to immigration is, that except of useful mechanics and some particular description of men and professions, there is no use of encouragement.

George Washington
Encouragement, Immigration, Use

I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.

George Washington
Spiritual, Religious, Religion
George Washington (1837). “The Writings of George Washington: pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses”, p.155

Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil-and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.

George Washington
Country, Evil, Alcohol
George Washington (1908). “Letters and Addresses,”

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

George Washington
Integrity, 4th Of July, Fire
Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour. Sparks 'Life of Washington' (1839) vol. 2, p. 109

Liberty, when it degrades into licentiousness, begets confusion, and frequently ends in tyranny or some woeful confusion.

George Washington
Confusion, Liberty, Ends

Even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror.

George Washington
Character, Government, Revolution
George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.140

I die hard but am not afraid to go.

George Washington
Dying, Last Words, Not Afraid
"Life of Washington". Book by Washington Irving, 1859.

... happily the Government of the United States... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

George Washington
Atheist, Government, Giving
Letter to Hebrew congregation of Newport, R.I., 17 Aug. 1790

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force...Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

George Washington
Peace, War, Government

This tribe of black gentry work more effectually against us, than the enemy's arms. They are a hundred times more dangerous to our liberties, and the great cause we are engaged in. It is much to be lamented that each State, long ere this, has not hunted them down as pests to society, and the greatest enemies we have to the happiness of America.

George Washington
Army, Long Ago, America

Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers make fine birds.

George Washington
Fashion, Men, Clothes
George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.15, Rowman & Littlefield

We beseech [God] to pardon our national and other transgressions.

George Washington
Bible, God, Religious

The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.

George Washington
Life, Real, Moments

The policy or advantage of [immigration] taking place in a body (I mean the settling of them in a body) may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the language, habits, and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them. Whereas by an intermixture with our people, they, or their descendants, get assimilated to our customs, measures, and laws: in a word, soon become one people.

George Washington
Mean, Law, People

Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind.

George Washington
Integrity, Accomplishment, Gains
George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.308

I never say anything of a man that I have the smallest scruple of saying to him.

George Washington
Men, Say Anything, Scruples
George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.89, Rowman & Littlefield

The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.

George Washington
Hatred, Degrees, Affection
Farewell Address, Philadelphia, Pa., 19 Sept. 1796

It is with pleasure I receive reproof, when reproof is due, because no person can be readier to accuse me, than I am to acknowledge an error, when I am guilty of one; nor more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am sensible of having committed it.

George Washington
Errors, Guilty, Crime
George Washington, Jared Sparks (1838). “(v. 3-8) Comprising correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American Revolution”, p.248