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?
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to read more
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to be king, a thought that GW found ludicrous: What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! 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 & fallacious!
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church read more
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church for divine services. His prayer that afternoon was: 'Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large.'
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and read more
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.
To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your read more
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the read more
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
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.
