Quote

What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious.

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
Bases
Despotism
Ideals
Governing
Merely
Founded
Equal
Incapable
Liberty
Systems
Find
Triumph
Ideal
Fallacious
Basis
Advocates

More quotes by George Washington

Image
It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
George Washington
Image
The business being thus closed . . . dined together and took a cordial leave of each other After which I returned to my lodgings, did some business with and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous work which had been executed.
George Washington
Image
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.
George Washington
Image
We ought to deprecate the hazard attending ardent and susceptible minds, from being too strongly, and too early prepossessed in favor of other political systems, before they are capable of appreciating their own.
George Washington
Image
It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.
George Washington
Image
Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. 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
Image
Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.
George Washington
Image
To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad.
George Washington
Image
As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.
George Washington
Image
I had rather be in my grave than in my present situation, I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world and yet they charge me with wanting to be a king.
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
Image
It is in vain, I perceive, to look for ease and happiness in a world of troubles.
George Washington
Image
Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power.
George Washington
Image
Liberty is indeed little less than a name, where the Government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of society within the limits prescribed by the law, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyme
George Washington
Image
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
George Washington
Image
It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.
George Washington
Image
We must consult our means rather than our wishes.
George Washington
Image
It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
George Washington
Image
In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time.
George Washington
Image
Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army, which above all things should be avoided, and in many instances would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.
George Washington