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I am led to reflect how much more delightful to an undebauched mind is the task of making improvements on the earth, than all the vain glory which can be acquired from ravaging it by the most uninterrupted career of conquests.

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
Mind
Tasks
Improvements
Garden
Acquired
Glory
Conquest
Career
Delightful
Careers
Reflect
Making
Improvement
Ravaging
Earth
Task
Conquests
Much
Vain
Uninterrupted

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I wish the constitution, which is offered, had been made more perfect but I sincerely believe it is the best that could be obtained at this time. And, as a constitutional door is opened for amendment hereafter, the adoption of it, under the present circumstances of the Union, is in my opinion desirable.
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Even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror.
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May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence
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Smaller societies must prepare the way for greater.
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Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.
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As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.
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I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.
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A variety in punishment is of utility, as well as a proportion.
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Integrity and firmness is all I can promise these, be the voyage long or short, never shall forsake me though I be deserted by all men. For of the consolations which are to be derived from these (under any circumstances) the world cannot deprive me.
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For it is fixed principle with me, that whatever is done should be done well.
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In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.
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Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
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The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize.
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War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.
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[L]eave nothing to the uncertainty of procuring a warlike apparatus at the moment of public danger.
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To anticipate and prevent disasterous contingencies would be the part of wisdom and patriotism.
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I commend you, however, for passing the time in as merry a manner as you possibly could it is assuredly better to go laughing than crying thro' the rough journey of life.
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The inducements of interest for observing [neutral] conduct . . . has been to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption, to that degree of strength and consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.
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All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity.
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The ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice of it not to be scanned by the shallow eye of humanity, nor to be counteracted by the utmost efforts of human power or wisdom, resignation, and as far as the strength of our reason and religion can carry us, a cheerful acquiescence to the Divine Will, is what we are to aim.
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