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I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.

George Washington

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George Washington
Age: 67 †
Born: 1732
Born: February 22
Died: 1799
Died: December 14
1St U.S. President
Cartographer
Engineer
Farmer
Land Surveyor
Military Officer
Politician
Slaveholder
Statesperson
Westmoreland County
Virginia
Washington
President Washington
G. Washington
Father of the United States
The American Fabius
Much
Interest
Reward
Prospect
Never
Idea
Lasting
Contest
War
Rewards
Contests
Ideas
Principle
Altogether
Done
Exists
Supported
Must
Principles
Venture
Aided
Mean
Present
Patriotic
Exclude
Great
Alone
Patriotism
Assert

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There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.
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As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.
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Letters of friendship require no study.
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The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest purposes.
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We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.
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Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is, an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peacethe next will be drawn in blood.
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If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the Constitution framed in the Convention where I had the honor to preside might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical society, certainly I would never have placed my signature to it.
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The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
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It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them.
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..avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen, which we ourselves ought to bear.
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While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only in this case are they answerable.
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Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy let us then as a Nation be just.
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It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.
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History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.
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If you can't sent money, send tobacco.
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Father I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet.
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Why should I expect to be exempt from censure the unfailing lot of an elevated station? My Heart tells me it has been my unremitted aim to do the best circumstances would permit yet, I may have been very often mistaken in my judgment of the means.
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