George Washington is a leader of the American Revolutionary War. He was the first president of the United States and served two terms, from 1789 to 1797. His home in Virginia is now a museum dedicated to his life.
In this blog post, we look at some famous quotes from George Washington and implement them in different aspects of our lives.
1. Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
“It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Religion and morality are indispensable supports of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. […] Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” — George Washington
2. Persevere in Your Duties
“You will do well to try to inoculate the Indians using Blankets, as well as to try every other method that can serve to extirpate this Execrable Race. I should be very glad your Scheme for Hunting them Down by Dogs could take Effect, but England is at too great a Distance to think of that at present.” — George Washington.
3. Be Prepared for Adversity
“All nations must acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour.” — George Washington.
4. The American Ideal is Freedom
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a terrible master.” — George Washington.
5. Leadership is Responsibility
“The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” — George Washington.
6. Accept Challenges and Persevere
“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” — George Washington
7. Education is Essential for Leadership Role
“The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.” — George Washington
8. Reflect on Your Actions
“Act with fortitude and honour.” — George Washington.
9. Be a Role Model for Others to Follow
“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.
10. Have a Positive Attitude Toward Life and Others
“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” — George Washington.
11. Be a Person of Conviction and Courage
“The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other rewards.” — George Washington
12. Have Integrity
“Let me beseech you, then, […] by the long and steady continuance of your labours in the honourable pursuits of useful industry, by your unfeigned regard for your country, by your conciliatory manners toward your neighbours, and by that candour and frankness which intrepidly unveils the face of truth, to give validity to your past professions.” — George Washington
13. Be Generous Toward Others
“To befriend the afflicted is a duty incumbent on all men; to relieve the wants of the needy is no less an office of humanity than of religion.” — George Washington.
14. Be Respectful of Women
“To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” — George Washington.
15. Avoid Partisanship and Self-Interest
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” — George Washington.
16. Be Loyal to Your Superior Officers
“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honour with all that’s good.” —
George Washington
17. Live Simply, Avoid Extravagance
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” — George Washington.
18. Frugalness
“A man ought not to endeavour to clear himself of a fault he has committed against society by charging it upon the laws which have been established for the public good.” — George Washington.
19. Avoid Vanity
“It is far better to be alone than to be in bad company.” — George Washington.
20. Love Your Enemy
“To place any dependence upon the militia is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff.” — George Washington.
21. Keep Your Promises
“The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of Divinity itself and can never be erased.” — George Washington.
22. Be Industrious and Focused on Your Goals
“Still one thing more, fellow citizens – a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labour the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.” — George Washington.
23. Seek Virtue and Knowledge
“If any person thinks […] that his religious tenets will not suffer him to be a faithful citizen of the republic, let him retire from its bosom.” — George Washington
24. Be Self-Reliant
“It is far better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” — George Washington.
25. Love and Help Children
“The happiness of our children, like that of mankind, in general, must depend on the early impressions which are made on their minds.” — George Washington.
26. Be Helpful to Those Who Are Helpless
“To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” — George Washington.
27. Avoid Debt at All Costs
“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.
28. Preserve Nature, Respect Animals
“Treat all correspondence with respect, and execute every project in the best manner because the sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of Divinity itself; and can never be erased.” — George Washington.