Leaders Quotes | George Washington
Born: 22 February 1732
Died: 14 December 1799
Country: United States
1. It is better to be alone than in bad company.
- George Washington
2. Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
- George Washington
3. A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.
- George Washington
4. 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 appellation.
- George Washington
5. A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?
- George Washington
6. 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
7. My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
- George Washington
8. If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
- George Washington
9. It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
- George Washington
10. Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.
- George Washington
11. A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.
- George Washington
12. Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
- George Washington
13. 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
14. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.
- George Washington
15. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
- George Washington
16. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
- George Washington
17. Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
- George Washington
18. There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.
- George Washington
19. 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
20. 99% of failures come from people who make excuses.
- George Washington
21. We must consult our means rather than our wishes.
- George Washington
22. Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
- George Washington
23. Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice.
- George Washington
24. To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.
- George Washington
25. I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.
- George Washington
26. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
- George Washington
27. As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
- George Washington
28. 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
29. Worry is the intrest paid by those who borrow trouble.
- George Washington
30. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.
- George Washington
31. Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.
- George Washington
32. Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy.
- George Washington
33. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.
- George Washington
34. If to please the people,we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The rest is in the hands of God.
- George Washington
35. There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
- George Washington
36. 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
37. Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone.
- George Washington
38. We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
- George Washington
39. To persevere in one's duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny.
- George Washington
40. Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. 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
41. Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
- George Washington
42. Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.
- George Washington
43. Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence.
- George Washington
44. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.
- George Washington
45. Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process.
- George Washington
46. Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.
- George Washington
47. 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
48. A bad war is fought with a good mind.
- George Washington
49. It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
- George Washington
50. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.
- George Washington
51. Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society.
- George Washington
52. Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people they give up their secrets also - if you love them enough.
- George Washington
53. 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
54. 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
55. No punishment, in my opinion, is to great, for the man who can build his greatness upon his country's ruin.
- George Washington
Died: 14 December 1799
Country: United States
- George Washington
2. Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
- George Washington
3. A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.
- George Washington
4. 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 appellation.
- George Washington
5. A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?
- George Washington
6. 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
7. My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
- George Washington
8. If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
- George Washington
9. It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
- George Washington
10. Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.
- George Washington
11. A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.
- George Washington
12. Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
- George Washington
13. 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
14. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.
- George Washington
15. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
- George Washington
16. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
- George Washington
17. Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
- George Washington
18. There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.
- George Washington
19. 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
20. 99% of failures come from people who make excuses.
- George Washington
21. We must consult our means rather than our wishes.
- George Washington
22. Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
- George Washington
23. Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice.
- George Washington
24. To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.
- George Washington
25. I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.
- George Washington
26. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
- George Washington
27. As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
- George Washington
28. 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
29. Worry is the intrest paid by those who borrow trouble.
- George Washington
30. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.
- George Washington
31. Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.
- George Washington
32. Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy.
- George Washington
33. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.
- George Washington
34. If to please the people,we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The rest is in the hands of God.
- George Washington
35. There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
- George Washington
36. 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
37. Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone.
- George Washington
38. We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
- George Washington
39. To persevere in one's duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny.
- George Washington
40. Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. 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
41. Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
- George Washington
42. Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.
- George Washington
43. Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence.
- George Washington
44. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.
- George Washington
45. Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process.
- George Washington
46. Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.
- George Washington
47. 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
48. A bad war is fought with a good mind.
- George Washington
49. It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
- George Washington
50. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.
- George Washington
51. Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society.
- George Washington
52. Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people they give up their secrets also - if you love them enough.
- George Washington
53. 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
54. 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
55. No punishment, in my opinion, is to great, for the man who can build his greatness upon his country's ruin.
- George Washington
