George Washington July Quotations

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.

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.

My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.

I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation.

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

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

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind: for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved.

Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.

There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

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.

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.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.

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.

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.

Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.

My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.

I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.

I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.

Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

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.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

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.

We are persuaded that good Christians will always be good citizens, and that where righteousness prevails among individuals the Nation will be great and happy. Thus while just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government it's surest support.

In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.

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.

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberty.