 |
(no category)
|
|
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
|
|
|
To admit then a right in the House of Representatives to demand, and to have as a matter of course, all the Papers respecting a negotiation with a foreign power, would be to establish a dangerous precedent. It does not occur that the inspection of the papers asked for, can be relative to any purpose under the cognizance of the House of Representatives, except that of an impeachment, which the resolution has not expressed. I repeat, that I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed: and in fact, all the Papers affecting the negotiation with Great Britain were laid before the Senate, when the Treaty itself was communicated for their consideration and advice. The course which the debate has taken, on the resolution of the House, leads to some observations on the mode of making treaties under the Constitution of the United States.
-George Washington
|
|
|
It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective Constitutional Spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department to encroach upon another.
-George Washington
|
|
|
For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.
-George Washington
|
|
|
For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.
-George Washington
|
|
|
I have beheld no day since the commencement of hostilities that I have thought her liberties in such eminent danger as at present. Friends and foes seem now to combine to pull down the goodly fabric as we have hitherto been raising at the expence of so much time, blood, and treasure; and unless the bodies politick will exert themselves to bring things back to first principles, correct abuses, and punish our internal foes, inevitable ruin must follow.
-George Washington
|
|
|
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
-George Washington
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. 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 the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.
-George Washington
|
|
|
Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is, an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peacethe next will be drawn in blood.
-George Washington
|
|
|
If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
-George Washington
|
|
|
Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.
-George Washington
|
|
|
You will therefore send me none but Natives, and Men of some property, if you have them.
-George Washington
|
|
|
To morrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public Thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutely to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us. The General directs that the army remain in its present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and brigades. And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensibly necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day.
-George Washington
|
|
|
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 they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this armyOur cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; that is all we can expectWe have therefore to resolve to conquer or die.
-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, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean i. e. , comport ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.
-George Washington
|
|
|
We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth New Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times.
-George Washington
|
|
|
No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.
-George Washington
|
|
|
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 his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America 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 a Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency,
-George Washington
|
|
|
Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.
-George Washington
|
|
|
Enjoin this upon the Officers, and let them inculcate, and press home to the Soldiery, the Necessity of Order and Harmony among them, who are embarkd in one common Cause, and mutually contending for all that Freeman sic hold dear. I am persuaded, if the Officers will but exert themselves, these Animosities, this Disorder, will in a great Measure subside, and nothing being more essential to the Service than that it should, I am hopeful nothing on their Parts will be wanting to effect it.
-George Washington
|
|
Agriculture
|
|
|
I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares.
-George Washington, Letter
|
|
America
|
|
|
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
-George Washington
|
|
Character
|
|
|
To point out the importance of circumspection in your conduct, it may be proper to observe that a good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.
-George Washington, in a letter to his nephew, 1790
|
|
Charity
|
|
|
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
-George Washington
|
|
Community
|
|
|
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
-George Washington
|
|
Conscience
|
|
|
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience
-George Washington
|
|
Discipline
|
|
|
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
-George Washington
|
|
Duty
|
|
|
Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
-George Washington
|
|
Ethics
|
|
|
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.
-George Washington
|
|
Freedom
|
|
|
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
-George Washington
|
|
|
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
-George Washington
|
|
Friends
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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 grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
-George Washington
|
|
Gambling (Gaming)
|
|
|
It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.
-George Washington
|
|
Government
|
|
|
Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
-George Washington
|
|
|
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
-George Washington
|
|
History
|
|
|
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
|
|
Honesty
|
|
|
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
|
|
Last Words
|
|
|
It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.
-George Washington
|
|
Liberty
|
|
|
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
|
|
Mercy
|
|
|
Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.
-George Washington
|
|
Military, the
|
|
|
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
-George Washington
|
|
Morals
|
|
|
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
-George Washington
|
|
Mother
|
|
|
My Mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my Mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
-George Washington
|
|
Patriotism
|
|
|
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 b
-George Washington
|
|
Peace
|
|
|
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
-George Washington
|
|
|
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
-George Washington
|
|
Profanity, Swearing, Vulgarity
|
|
|
The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.
-George Washington
|
|
Relationships
|
|
|
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.
-George Washington
|
|
Retirement
|
|
|
I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
-George Washington
|
|
Speech (freedom of)
|
|
|
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
-George Washington
|
|
Style
|
|
|
Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men, any more than fine feathers make fine birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired, obtains more credit in the eyes of the judicious and sensible.
-George Washington
|
|
Tyranny
|
|
|
The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded. Their indiscriminate violence prostrates for the time all public authority, and its consequences are sometimes extensive and terrible.
-George Washington
|
|
Virtue
|
|
|
Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
-George Washington
|
|
Worry
|
|
|
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
-George Washington
|
Books by and about George Washington
