George Washington

Explore 18 quotes by George Washington

The due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.

George Washington

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Topic

Good government Political theory Politics

Author

George Washington

Source

Letters of George Washington

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. Letter to Edmund Randolph. 28 Sept. 1789.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 September 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John H. Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally.

George Washington

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Topic

Partisan politics Political parties American politics

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

I can with truth assure you, I heard Bulletts whistle and believe me there was something charming in the sound.

George Washington

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Topic

Attraction of war

Author

George Washington

Source

Letters of George Washington

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1754 1750s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. Letter to John Augustine Washington. 31 May 1754.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "To John Augustine Washington, May 31, 1754." George Washington: Writings, edited by John H. Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.

George Washington

Letters of George Washington

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Topic

Discipline The Army

Author

George Washington

Source

Letters of George Washington

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1757 1750s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Washington, George. "Letter of Instructions to the Captains of the Virginia Regiments." 29 July 1757.

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

George Washington

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Topic

Preparing for war War

Author

George Washington

Source

First Annual Message to Both Houses of Congress

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

English

Time

1790 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Annual Message to Both Houses of Congress." 8 Jan. 1790, Senate Chamber, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Annual Message to Congress, January 8, 1790." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world.

George Washington

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Topic

Isolationism Foreign policy International politics American politics

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

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

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Topic

American Revolution

Author

George Washington

Source

General Orders

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. General orders. 2 July 1776, Newburgh, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "General Orders, July 2, 1776." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

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

Washington's Farewell Address

Read George Washington's Farewell Address at presidency.ucsb.edu

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Topic

American foreign policy International politics Political neutrality

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

Observe good faith and justice toward all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all... 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

Washington's Farewell Address

Read George Washington's Farewell Address at presidency.ucsb.edu

More information about this quote

Topic

American foreign policy International politics Political neutrality

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

Avoid the necessity of those overgrown Military establishments, which under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty.

George Washington

Washington's Farewell Address

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Topic

Military industrial complex

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

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

Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Foreign policy International politics

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

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

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

American founding God and America Early America

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government.

George Washington

Washington's Farewell Address

Read George Washington's Farewell Address at presidency.ucsb.edu

More information about this quote

Topic

American experiment American government

Author

George Washington

Source

Washington's Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. "The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States." Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 19 Sept. 1796.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Farewell Address, September 19, 1796." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

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... 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 no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect-We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

George Washington

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More information about this quote

Topic

American Revolution

Speaker

George Washington

Medium

Speech

Genre

Military speech

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "General orders." 2 July 1776, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series June-August 1776, edited by W. W. Abbot and Dorothy Twohig. Vol. 5, University of Virginia Press, 1993.

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 & silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.

George Washington

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Topic

Freedom of speech and expression

Author

George Washington

Source

Speeches of George Washington

Medium

Speech

Genre

Military speech

Language

English

Time

1783 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Washington, George. Address to officers of the Army. 15 Mar. 1783, Newburgh, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "Speech to officers of the army, March 15, 1783." George Washington: Writings, edited by John H. Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

There is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

Virtue

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

Democracy Freedom American experiment

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

In the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

American founding Early America

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.