The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered read more

The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered ... deeply, ... finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose read more

We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.

Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful read more

Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful ... as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion.... Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once decided, going through his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was the most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known.... He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man ... On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect ... it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great....

True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is read more

True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.

I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.

In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the read more

In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to read more

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly read more

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.

I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the read more

I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.