The basis of our political systems is the right of the people make and alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
“Farewell Address” (17 Sep 1796)
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, 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.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
“Letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport,” Rhode Island (17 Aug 1790)
Full text.
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.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
“Letter to the members of the Volunteer Association and other Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Ireland who have lately arrived in the City of New York” (2 Dec 1783)
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; promises successes to the weak, and esteem to all.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
(Attributed)
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.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
(Attributed)
The very idea of the power and the right of the People to establish Government presupposes the duty of every Individual to obey the established Government.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Farewell Address (17 Sep 1796)
There is a rank due to the United States, among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. 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.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
The Federalist Papers
When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Copybook (1748)
From Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation, #44, an update of Decency of Conversation Among Men by French Jesuits (1595) [tr. Hawkins (1640)].
Should, hereafter, those incited by the lust of power and prompted by the Supineness or venality of their Constituents, overleap the known barriers of this Constitution and violate the unalienable rights of humanity: it will only serve to shew, that no compact among men (however provident in its construction and sacred in its ratification) can be pronounced everlasting and inviolable, and if I may so express myself, that no Wall of words, that no mound of parchm[en]t can be so formed as to stand against the sweeping torrent of boundless ambition on the side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Draft, First Inaugural Address (Apr 1789)
It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a People always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Farewell Address (17 Sep. 1796)
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.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Farewell Address (19 Sep 1796)
Full address
Do not conceive that fine Clothes make fine Men, any more than fine feathers make fine Birds.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 Jan 1783)
While we are contending for our own Liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the Rights of Conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the Judge of the Hearts of Men, and to him only in this Case, they are answerable.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Letter to Col. Benedict Arnold (14 Sep. 1775)
To persevere in one’s duty and be silent is the best answer to calumny.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Letter to Gov. William Livingston (7 Dec 1779)
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Letter to Harriet Washington (30 Oct 1791)
To trust altogether in the justice of our cause, without our own utmost exertions, would be tempting Providence.
President George Washington (1732-1799) US President, military leader
Letter to Jonathan Trumbull (7 Aug 1776)
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