From leadership and perseverance to freedom and patriotism, gain valuable lessons and insight though our George Washington quotes.
George Washington, often referred to as the “Father of His Country,” was the first President of the US and a key figure in the American Revolution. His leadership, courage, and dedication to the principles of liberty and freedom played a pivotal role in shaping the nation.
Beyond his remarkable achievements as a statesman and military general, his words continue to inspire people around the world. George Washington quotes offer valuable lessons that transcend time and remain relevant in contemporary society.
Through his words, he provides a window into his wisdom, values, and vision for a prosperous and united America. From his view on leadership and patriotism to perseverance and civic responsibility, they encapsulate the ideals that have defined the American spirit.
Join us as we journey through the remarkable George Washington quotes. From the words of one of America’s most revered Founding Fathers, gain a deeper understanding of his enduring legacy. Enjoy.
Famous George Washington quotes
A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass.
George Washington
Be Americans. Let there be no sectionalism, no North, South, East or West. You are all dependent on one another and should be one in union. In one word, be a nation. Be Americans, and be true to yourselves.
George Washington
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.
George Washington
But if the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government, and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected thereafter.
George Washington
Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.
George Washington
Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do–then do it with all your strength.
George Washington
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.
George Washington
However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
George Washington
Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.
George Washington
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on freedom
Experience has taught us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession, and when the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
George Washington
Freedom and Property Rights are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.
George Washington
There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty.
George Washington
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
George Washington
While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only in this case are they answerable.
George Washington
There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.
George Washington
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can exist apart from religious principle.
George Washington
Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.
George Washington
The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity.
George Washington
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on government
History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.
George Washington
In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.
George Washington
Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government … can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppresive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.
George Washington
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
George Washington
The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury.
George Washington
Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.
George Washington
While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.
George Washington
The due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to the happiness of the country, and to the stability of its political system.
George Washington
Even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror.
George Washington
In the appointments to the great offices of the government, my aim has been to combine geographical situation, and sometimes other considerations, with abilities and fitness of known characters.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on leadership
Uncover the principles of greatness with timeless George Washington quotes on character and integrity of leadership.
Great people are not affected by each puff of wind that blows ill. Like great ships, they sail serenely on, in a calm sea or a great tempest.
George Washington
I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
George Washington
Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there.
George Washington
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
George Washington
Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.
George Washington
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.
George Washington
Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.
George Washington
It is absolutely necessary… for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
George Washington
A person who is anxious to be a leader of the fashion, or one of the first to follow it, will certainly appear in the eyes of judicious men to have nothing better than a frequent change of dress to recommend him to notice.
George Washington
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on constitution
The fundamental principle of our constitution … enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail.
George Washington
Precedents are dangerous things; let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.
George Washington
The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.
George Washington
To constitute a dispute there must be two parties. To understand it well, both parties and all the circumstances must be fully heard; and to accommodate the differences, temper and mutual forbearance are requisite.
George Washington
The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.
George Washington
Our Constitution gives to bigotry no sanction.
George Washington
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.
George Washington
All combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency.
George Washington
The Constitution which at any time exists, ’till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People is sacredly obligatory upon all.
George Washington
The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on patriotism
Explore the profound wisdom of George Washington quotes on patriotism and the importance of unity and national pride.
Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
George Washington
In vain would that man claim tribute to patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness – these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.
George Washington
A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
George Washington
Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.
George Washington
In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.
George Washington
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.
George Washington
Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.
George Washington
To anticipate and prevent disasterous contingencies would be the part of wisdom and patriotism.
George Washington
Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.
George Washington
I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on God
It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.
George Washington
The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreebly to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.
George Washington
We beseech [God] to pardon our national and other transgressions.
George Washington
The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest purposes.
George Washington
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.
George Washington
The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God’s will.
George Washington
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 favors.
George Washington
The finite mind of man can never grasp the mysteries of the infinite. It is the highest wisdom, as it is our great happiness, to accept our limitations, to use what we have, and leave the rest to God.
George Washington
May the Father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
George Washington
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection…
George Washington
Inspirational George Washington quotes
Find inspiration in this section of George Washington quotes, as he reflects on the sacrifices and triumphs of the American people.
A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove.
George Washington
I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.
George Washington
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
George Washington
It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.
George Washington
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
George Washington
When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.
George Washington
We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.
George Washington
When there is no vision, there is no hope.
George Washington
99% of failures come from people who make excuses.
George Washington
It is impossible to govern the world without God. 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 implore his protection and favor.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on liberty
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
George Washington
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
George Washington
The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.
George Washington
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 merely ideal and fallacious.
George Washington
Liberty, when it degrades into licentiousness, begets confusion, and frequently ends in tyranny or some woeful confusion.
George Washington
The Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings and successes.
George Washington
Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?
George Washington
A people contending for life and liberty are seldom disposed to look with a favorable eye upon either men or measures whose passions, interests or consequences will clash with those inestimable objects.
George Washington
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
Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.
George Washington
George Washington quotes on war
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
George Washington
For the sake of humanity it is devoutly to be wished that the manly employment of agriculture and the humanizing benefits of commerce would supersede the waste of war and the rage of conquest; and the swords might be turned into ploughshares, the spears into pruning-hooks, and as the Scripture expresses it, “the nations learn war no more.”
George Washington
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
George Washington
Our conflict is not likely to cease so soon as every good man would wish. The measure of iniquity is not yet filled; and unless we can return a little more to first principles, and act a little more upon patriotic ground, I do not know when it will-or-what may be the issue of the contest.
George Washington
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
George Washington
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
George Washington
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
George Washington
Like as a wise man in time of peace prepares for war.
George Washington
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.
George Washington
War – An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.
George Washington
Final thoughts
George Washington quotes serve as a guiding light, offering wisdom on leadership, resiliance, and the power of unity. They encourage us to overcome adversity, to work collaboratively for the greater good, and to lead by example.
As we reflect on George Washington quotes, we are reminded of the enduring relevance and timeless wisdom they hold. Let us continue to integrating their wisdom into our lives and striving to uphold the principles of liberty, justice, and equality.
By doing so, we honor his legacy and contribute to the ongoing journey of building a better and more inclusive society. May his words continue to guide us as we navigate the challenges of our time and work together towards a brighter and more united future.
Hope that you have enjoyed exploring the profound wisdom and timeless George Washington quotes. Share these quotes with others, for they possess the ability to ignite a sense of patriotism, leadership, and civic duty in those who encounter them.