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.

Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall read more

Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.

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.

We ought to be persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards read more

We ought to be persuaded that 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.

On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took read more

On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Of this he wrote to James Madison: 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.

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.

To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.

To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.

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.

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....