Quote

Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppresive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.

George Washington

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Never
Liberty
Aristocracy
People
Rights
Monarchy
Form
Assured
Government
Virtuous
Body
General
Human
Danger
Degenerating
Humans
Among
Despotic
Long
Virtue
Oligarchy

More quotes by George Washington

Image
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force...Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
George Washington
Image
The consideration that human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected will always continue to prompt me to promote the former by inculcating the practice of the latter.
George Washington
Image
Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho' they differ in shape.
George Washington
Image
The Commander in Chief directs that Divine service be performed every Sunday at 11 o'clock...It is expected that officers of all ranks will by their attendance set an example to their men.
George Washington
Image
Avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, we should remember also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it
George Washington
Image
Be easy and condescending in your deportment to your officers, but not too familiar, lest you subject yourself to a want of respect, which is necessary to support a proper command.
George Washington
Image
A woman ... all beautiful and accomplished will, while her hand and heart are undisposed of, turn the heads and set the circle in which she moves on fire. Let her marry, and what is the consequence? The madness ceases and all is quiet again. Why? Not because there is any diminution in the charms of the lady, but because there is an end of hope.
George Washington
Image
Let vice and immorality of every kind be discouraged as much as possible in your brigade and, as a chaplain is allowed to each regiment, see that the men regularly attend during worship. Gaming of every kind is expressly forbidden, as being the foundation of evil, and the cause of many a brave and gallant officer's and soldier's ruin.
George Washington
Image
My manner of living is plain. I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready and such as will be content to partake of them are always welcome. Those, who expect more, will be disappointed, but no change will be effected by it.
George Washington
Image
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
Image
The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.
George Washington
Image
Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.
George Washington
Image
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection.
George Washington
Image
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
George Washington
Image
The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.
George Washington
Image
Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?
George Washington
Image
Be not forward, but friendly and courteous the first to salute, hear and answer and be not pensive when it is time to converse.
George Washington
Image
While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.
George Washington
Image
Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
George Washington
Image
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