George Washington ( 10 of 65 )
The Nation's first chief executive took his oath of office in April in New York City on the balcony of read more
The Nation's first chief executive took his oath of office in April in New York City on the balcony of the Senate Chamber at Federal Hall on Wall Street. General Washington had been unanimously elected President by the first electoral college, and John Ad
Justice is the firm and continuous desire to render to everyone that which is his due
Justice is the firm and continuous desire to render to everyone that which is his due
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
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.
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than read more
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands read more
The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.
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....
