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George Washington
143 quotes
“Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1754 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Governor Dinwiddie (29 May 1754)
“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1759 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter of Instructions to the Captains of the Virginia Regiments (29 July 1759)
“The General is sorry to be informed —, that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice heretofore little known in an American army, is growing into a fashion; — he hopes the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our arms, if we insult it by impiety and folly; added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1770 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Extract from the Orderly Book of the army under command of Washington, dated at Head Quarters, in the city of New York (3 August 1770); reported in American Masonic Register and Literary Companion, Volume 1 (1829), p. 1…
“Unhappy it is though to reflect, that a Brother's Sword has been sheathed in a Brother's breast, and that, the once happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched with Blood, or Inhabited by Slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous Man hesitate in his choice?”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Mr. George William Fairfax (31 May 1775) George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress
“As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Acceptance speech after being "elected" by the Continental Congress as commander of the yet-to-be-created Continental Army (15 June 1775)
“But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Washington's formal acceptance of command of the Army (16 June 1775), quoted in The Writings of George Washington : Life of Washington (1837) edited by Jared Sparks, p. 141
“When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: George Washington to New York Legislature (26 June 1775)
“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Benedict Arnold (14 September 1775)
“To expect … the same service from raw and undisciplined recruits, as from veteran soldiers, is to expect what never did and perhaps never will happen. Men, who are familiarized to danger, meet it without shrinking; whereas troops unused to service often apprehend danger where no danger is.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the President of Congress (9 February 1776)
“Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: General Orders, Headquarters, New York (2 July 1776)
“The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1741 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: General Order (9 July 1776) George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 3g Varick Transcripts
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the Continental Army before the Battle of Long Island (27 August 1776)
“There is nothing that gives a man consequence, and renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him independent of everybody but the State he serves.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the president of Congress, Heights of Harlem (24 September 1776)
“To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff. Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life - unaccustomed to the din of arms - totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill, which being followed by a want of confidence in themselves when opposed to troops regularly trained, disciplined, and appointed, superior in knowledge, and superior in arms, makes them timid and ready to fly from their own shadows.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the president of Congress, Heights of Harlem (24 September 1776)
“My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than can be reasonably expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty, and to your country, which you probably can never do under any other circumstances.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1776 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Encouraging his men to re-enlist in the army (31 December 1776)
“Parade with me my brave fellows, we will have them soon!”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1777 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rallying his troops at the Battle of Princeton (3 January 1777)
“A great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle [patriotism] alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to John Banister, Valley Forge (21 April 1778)
“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: General Orders (2 May 1778); published in Writings of George Washington (1932), Vol.XI, pp. 342-343
“In the last place, though first in importance I shall ask—is there any thing doing, or that can be done to restore the credit of our currency? The depreciation of it is got to so alarming a point—that a waggon load of money will scarcely purchase a waggon load of provision.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to John Jay, 23 April 1779, Founders Online, National Archives. Source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 20, 8 April–31 May 1779, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University o…
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Major-General Robert Howe (17 August 1779), published in "The Writings of George Washington": 1778-1779, edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (1890)
“Know my good friend that no distance can keep anxious lovers long asunder, and that the wonders of former ages may be revived in this — But alas! will you not remark that amidst all the wonders recorded in holy writ no instance can be produced where a young Woman from real inclination has prefered an old man — This is so much against me that I shall not be able I fear to contest the prize with you — yet, under the encouragement you have given me I shall enter the list for so inestimable a jewell.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Marquis de Lafayette (30 September 1779)
“A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man, that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of his friends, and that the most liberal professions of good will are very far from being the surest marks of it. I should be happy that my own experience had afforded fewer examples of the little dependence to be placed upon them.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Major-General John Sullivan (15 December 1779), published in The Writings of George Washington (1890) by Worthington Chauncey Ford, Vol. 8, p. 139
“[F]ree Negroes who have served in this army are very much dissatisfied at being discarded. As it is to be apprehended that they may seek employ in the Ministerial Army, I have … given license for their being enlisted.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To John Hancock (31 December 1775)
“Mrs. Phillis: Your favour of the 26th of October did not reach my hands 'till the middle of December. Time enough, you will say, to have given an answer ere this. Granted. But a variety of important occurrences, continually interposing to distract the mind and withdraw the attention, I hope will apologize for the delay, and plead my excuse for the seeming, but not real neglect.”
George Washington (1732–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I thank you most sincerely for your polite notice of me, in the elegant Lines you enclosed; and however undeserving I may be of such encomium and panegyrick, the style and manner exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents. In honour of which, and as a tribute justly due to you, I would have published the Poem, had I not been apprehensive, that, while I only meant to give the World this new instance of your genius, I might have incurred the imputation of Vanity. This and nothing else, determined me not to give it place in the public Prints.”
George Washington (1732–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you should ever come to Cambridge, or near Head Quarters, I shall be happy to see a person so favoured by the Muses, and to whom Nature has been so liberal and beneficent in her dispensations. I am, with great Respect, etc.”
George Washington (1732–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am not clear that a discrimination will not render slavery more irksome to those who remain in it. Most of the good and evil things in this life are judged of by comparison; and I fear a comparison in this case will be productive of much discontent in those who are held in servitude.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Henry Laurens (20 March 1779)
“When one is over rated in this way, it is very natural to complain, or to feel disgust at the ingratitude of the world; tho' I believe with you, that to persevere in one's duty and be silent, is the best answer to calumny.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Dec. 7, 1779 (To GOVERNOR WILLIAM LIVINGSTON} George Washington Papers, Series 3, Subseries 3C, Varick Transcripts, Letterbook 3, pp114.
“[A]bolish the name and appearance of a Black Corps.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1780 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Recommendations to reorganize two Rhode Island regiments into integrated rather than segregated groups, in a letter to Major General William Heath (29 July 1780), in The Writings of George Washington, 19:93. According t…
“Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1780 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Lord Stirling (5 March 1780)
“The many remarkable interpositions of the divine government, in the hours of our deepest distress and darkness, have been too luminous to suffer me to doubt the happy issue of the present contest.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1781 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to General Armstrong (26 March 1781), as quoted in The Religious Opinions and Character of Washington (1836) by Edward Charles McGuire, p. 122
“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 interpositions of Providence demand of us.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1781 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Notes on general orders to the troops, (20 October 1781), as quoted in The Writings of George Washington (1835) edited by Jared Sparks, Vol. 8, p. 189
“Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive. And with it, everything honorable and glorious.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1781 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the Marquis de Lafayette (15 November 1781)
“I am sure there never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe, that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God, who is alone able to protect them.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to John Armstrong, 11 March 1782, in Ford's Writings of George Washington (1891), vol. XII, p. 111. This is frequently attached to part of a letter to Brigadier-General Nelson of 20 August 1778, as in this 1864 e…
“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.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 January 1783)
“Let your heart feel for the affliction, and distresses of every one—and let your hand give, in proportion to your purse—remembering always, the estimation of the Widows mite. But, that it is not every one who asketh, that deserveth charity; all however are worthy of the enquiry—or the deserving may suffer.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 January 1783)
“Do not conceive that fine Clothes make fine Men, any more than fine feathers make fine Birds—A plain genteel dress is more admired and obtains more credit than lace & embroidery in the Eyes of the judicious and sensible.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 January 1783)
“Happy, thrice happy shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, who have performed the meanest office in erecting this stupendous fabrick of Freedom and Empire on the broad basis of Independency; who have assisted in protecting the rights of humane nature and establishing an Asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and religions.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: General Orders (18 April 1783)
“It may be laid down, as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every citizen who enjoys the protection of a free government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total strength of the Country might be called forth at Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sentiments on a Peace Establishment" in a letter to Alexander Hamilton (2 May 1783); published in The Writings of George Washington (1938), edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, Vol. 26, p. 289
“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; but will defer going into a detail of the business, till I have the pleasure of seeing you.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS." in a letter to Thomas Mifflin (17 JUNE 1783); published in The Writings of George Washington (1938), edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, Vol. 26, p. 294
“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Circular to the States" (8 June 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 wellcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the members of the Volunteer Association and other Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Ireland who have lately arrived in the City of New York (2 December 1783), as quoted in John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings o…
“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.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1783 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to Congress resigning his commission (23 December 1783)
“A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1784 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Benjamin Harrison V (10 October 1784)
“[T]he motives which predominate most in human affairs is self-love and self-interest.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1784 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to James Madison (3 December 1784) as quoted in Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington (2008) by Peter R. Henriques, p. 139.
“Men's minds are as variant as their faces, and, where the motives of their actions are pure, the operation of the former is no more to be imputed to them as a crime, than the appearance of the latter; for both, being the work of nature, are alike unavoidable.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1789 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Benjamin Harrison V (9 March 1789), published in Washington's Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscrip…
“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.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1785 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Marquis de Lafayette (25 July 1785)
“We are either a united people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters 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.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1785 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to James Madison, 30 November 1785
“My manner of living is plain. I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready; and such as will be content to partake of them are always welcome. Those, who expect more, will be disappointed, but no change will be effected by it.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1786 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to George William Fairfax (25 June 1786), published in The Writings Of George Washington (1835) by Jared Sparks, p. 175
“There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.”
George Washington (1732–1799) first seen 1786 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Robert Morris (12 April 1786)