|
A person who is anxious to be a leader of the fashion, or one of the first to follow it, will certainly appear in the eyes of judicious men to have nothing better than a frequent change of dress to recommend him to notice.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to George Steptoe Washington, Mar. 23, 1789
Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil--and the ruin of half the workmen in this Country.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Thomas Green, Mar. 31, 1789
An aching head and trembling limbs, which are the inevitable effects of drinking, disincline the hands from work.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Thomas Green, Mar. 31, 1789
There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, First Inaugural Address, Apr. 30, 1789
The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, First Inaugural Address, Apr. 30, 1789
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent on others for essential, particularly for military, supplies.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, speech to Congress, Jan. 8, 1790
Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, speech to Congress, Jan. 8, 1790
I had rather be at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of state and the representatives of every power in Europe.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to David Stuart, Jun. 15, 1790
To be under but little or no control may be pleasing to a mind that does not reflect, but this pleasure cannot be of long duration.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Harriot Washington, Oct. 30, 1791
I mind conscious of its own rectitude fears not what is said of it, but will bid defiance to and despise shafts that are not barbed with accusations against honor or integrity.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Gouverneur Morris, Jan. 28, 1792
Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable as, to a certain point, they may perhaps be necessary; but it is exceedingly to be regretted that subjects cannot be discussed with temper on the one hand, or decisions submitted to without having the motives, which led to them, improperly implicated on the other; and this regret borders on chagrin when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, having the same general objects in view, and the same upright intentions to prosecute them, will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions and actions of one another.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Alexander Hamilton, Aug. 26, 1792
If the government and the officers of it are to be the constant theme for newspaper abuse, and this too without condescending to investigate the motives or the facts, it will be impossible, I conceive, for any man living to manage the helm or to keep the machine together.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Edmund Randolph, Aug. 26, 1792
The arrows of malevolence ... however barbed and well pointed, never can reach the most vulnerable part of me; though, whilst I am up as a mark, they will be continually aimed.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Henry Lee, Jul. 21, 1793
Smaller societies must prepare the way for greater.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Sir John Sinclair, Jul. 20, 1794
If the minority, and a small one too, is suffered to dictate to the majority, after measures have undergone the most solemn discussions by the representatives of the people, and their will through this medium is enacted into a law, there can be no security for life, liberty, or property; nor, if the laws are not to govern, can any man know how to conduct himself in safety.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Major-General Daniel Morgan
There never was a law yet made, I conceive, that hit the taste exactly of every man, or every part of the community; of course, if this be a reason for opposition, no law can be executed at all without force, and every man or set of men will in that case cut and carve for themselves; the consequences of which must be deprecated by all classes of men, who are friends to order, and to the peace and happiness of the country.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Major-General Daniel Morgan
I am principled against selling negroes, as you would do cattle at a market.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Alexander Spotswood, Nov. 23, 1794
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, letter to Eleanor Parke Custis, Jan. 16, 1795
Love is said to be an involuntary passion, and it is, therefore, contended that it cannot be resisted. This is true in part only, for like all things else, when nourished and supplied plentifully with ailment, it is rapid in its progress; but let these be withdrawn and it may be stifled in its birth or much stinted in its growth.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Eleanor Parke Custis, Jan. 16, 1795
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, letter to Eleanor Parke Custis, Jan. 16, 1795
A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Eleanor Parke Custis, Jan. 16, 1795
It rarely happens otherwise than that a thorough-faced coquette dies in celibacy, as a punishment for her attempts to mislead others, by encouraging looks, words, or actions, given for no other purpose than to draw men on to make overtures that they may be rejected.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Eleanor Parke Custis, Jan. 16, 1795
When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Edmund Pendleton, Jan. 22, 1795
My temper leads me to peace and harmony with all men.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Major-General Gates, February 24, 1778
|
