100 Famous George Washington Quotes from the Father of His Country

George Washington, born in the British-ruled colony of Virginia on February 22, 1732, was the first President of the United States and a celebrated general of the American Revolution.

His early life was marked by the loss of his father at age 11 and his education in fundamental subjects under the care of his older brother, Lawrence.

In his twenties, Washington fought in the French and Indian War and later worked as a farmer.

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In 1775, he was commissioned by Congress to command the Continental Army against the British in Boston, serving for five intense years of the Revolutionary War until the British’s surrender in 1781, which positioned him as a national hero.

He took the oath of office as America’s first President on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall, New York, serving two terms until 1797.

Related: Sharice Davids Quotes from the American Politician and Sam Rayburn Quotes from American Politician and Speaker

His retirement was brief, passing away due to a throat infection on December 14, 1799.

Here are some of the top quotes from George Washington.


Best George Washington Quotes

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I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office. ~ George Washington.

In time of peace, prepare for war. ~ George Washington.

I die hard but am not afraid to go. ~ George Washington.

The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth. ~ 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.

Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence. ~ George Washington.

To rectify past blunders is impossible, but we might profit by the experience of them. ~ George Washington.

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. ~ George Washington.

Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do – then do it with all your strength. ~ George Washington.

Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process. ~ George Washington.

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.

To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country. ~ 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.

The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind. ~ George Washington.

If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst. ~ George Washington.

Famous George Washington Quotes

The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury. ~ George Washington.

The people must remain ever vigilant against tyrants masquerading as public servants. ~ 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.

Freemasonry is an order whose leading star is philanthropy and whose principles inculcate an unceasing devotion to the cause of virtue and morality. ~ George Washington.

Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man. ~ George Washington.

What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ. ~ George Washington.

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government. ~ George Washington.

To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation. ~ George Washington.

Honesty is always the best policy. ~ George Washington.

Freedom and Property Rights are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other. ~ George Washington.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. ~ George Washington.

The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph. ~ George Washington.

To err is nature, to rectify error is glory. ~ George Washington.

Ultimate George Washington Quotes

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

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection… ~ George Washington.

To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. ~ George Washington.

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.

The eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny meditated against them. ~ George Washington.

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Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages. ~ George Washington.

A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass. ~ George Washington.

There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily. ~ George Washington.

Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world. ~ George Washington.

We must consult our means rather than our wishes. ~ George Washington.

When any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns, it’s sending a clear message. It no longer trusts its citizens because such a government has evil plans. ~ George Washington.

Without virtue, and without integrity, the finest talents and the most brilliant accomplishments can never gain the respect, and conciliate the esteem, of the truly valuable part of mankind. ~ George Washington.

Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society. ~ George Washington.

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

Make the most of the Indian Hemp Seed and sow it everywhere. ~ George Washington.

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

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.

To persevere in one’s duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny. ~ George Washington.

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.

Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God and guide this day and forever for His sake, who lay down in the grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ George Washington.

I heard the bullets whistle – and believe me, there is something charming in the sound. ~ George Washington.

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

Our Constitution gives to bigotry no sanction. ~ George Washington.

The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die. ~ George Washington.

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

I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, the foundation of happiness or misery. ~ George Washington.

99% of failures come from people who make excuses. ~ George Washington.

It is better to be alone than in bad company. ~ George Washington.

I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree. ~ George Washington.

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

I’ll die on my feet before I’ll live on my knees! ~ George Washington.

Top George Washington Quotes

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington.

All Freemasonry should be disbanded in America because our organization has been infiltrated by the Illuminati and they have bad intention for America and the World. ~ George Washington.

Discipline is the soul of an army. ~ George Washington.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. ~ George Washington.

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

Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. ~ George Washington.

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

Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward. ~ George Washington.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. ~ George Washington.

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The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. ~ George Washington.

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American patriot if they ever attempt to separate religion from politics. ~ George Washington.

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

Inspiring George Washington Quotes

The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than to live on his knees. ~ George Washington.

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

A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool. ~ George Washington.

Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country? ~ George Washington.

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. ~ George Washington.

True friendship is a plant of slow growth. ~ George Washington.

The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy. ~ George Washington.

Great George Washington Quotes

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. ~ George Washington.

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. ~ George Washington.

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. ~ George Washington.

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God. ~ 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.

Real men despise battle, but will never run from it. ~ George Washington.

Be not glad at the misfortune of another, though he may be your enemy. ~ George Washington.

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.

A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease. ~ 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.

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

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Good moral character is the first essential in a man. ~ George Washington.

I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them. ~ George Washington.

Wise George Washington Quotes

Government being, among other purposes, instituted to protect the consciences of men from oppression, it certainly is the duty of Rulers, not only to abstain from it themselves, but according to their stations, to prevent it in others. ~ George Washington.

If you can’t send money, send tobacco. ~ George Washington.

It’s only natural for unbridled partisanship, unrestrained by allegiance to a greater cause, to lead to chaos. ~ George Washington.

The best and only safe road to honor, glory, and true dignity is justice. ~ George Washington.

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.

I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built. ~ George Washington.

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light. ~ George Washington.


So these were the 100 top George Washington quotes on government, political parties, freedom, military, leadership and constitution.

If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Brandon Sanderson quotes and Sitting Bull quotes.

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Chandan Negi
Chandan Negi

I’m the Founder of Internet Pillar - I love sharing quotes and motivational content to inspire and motivate people - #quotes #motivation #internetpillar