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[T]he first transactions of a nation, like those of an individual upon his first entrance into life make the deepest impression, and are to form the leading traits in its character.

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
Individual
Transactions
Form
Traits
Character
Deepest
Firsts
Leading
First
Impression
Make
Nation
Life
Nations
Entrance
Like
Upon
Entrances

More quotes by George Washington

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In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as to not give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.
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A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.
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Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.
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The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.
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I rejoice in a belief that intellectual light will spring up in the dark corners of the earth that freedom of enquiry will produce liberality of conduct that mankind will reverse the absurd position that the many were, made for the few and that they will not continue slaves in one part of the globe, when they can become freemen in another.
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Government is not reason it is not eloquent it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
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There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
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Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe.
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Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.
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Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by it.
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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.
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In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time.
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It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.
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The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
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This spirit [of Party], unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human Mind. It exists under different shapes in all Governments, more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed but, in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.
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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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The true distinction ... between what is called a fine Regiment, and an indifferent one will ever, upon investigation, be found to originate in, and depend upon the care, or the inattention, of the Officers belonging to them.
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Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.
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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.
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Precedents are dangerous things let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.
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