40 Phrases from George Washington to Learn About His Life and Legacy

The United States of America proclaimed its independence from the English in 1776. One of the main figures who promoted this independence was George Washington

Washington is among the so-called founding fathers and commander in chief of the revolutionary army during the Revolutionary War, he would become the first president of the United States. Throughout his life and his mandate he made interesting reflections on numerous topics such as freedom or politics.

In this article we will see some of the best quotes from George Washington that reflect these reflections.

A selection of quotes from George Washington

Below you can find a series of phrases from George Washington referring to various topics.

1.Work to keep that little spark of celestial fire alive in your chest, consciousness.

Through this phrase the need to act based on our conscience is expressed.

2. Persevering in the performance of one’s duty and remaining silent is the best response to slander

Responding to other people’s evidence gets us nowhere, and who attacks usually reveals themselves in the same process.

3. Being prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace

Being cautious and preparing for the worst possible scenarios can help us avoid them.

4. I hope to always have enough firmness and virtue to preserve what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles: the character of an honest man

People say that power can corrupt people honesty being one of the virtues that allow us to be coherent with oneself and with the world.

5. Religion and morality are essential pillars of civil society

Beliefs and values ​​are a very important part of our being and are part of the organization of society.

6. The government is not a reason, nor is it eloquence, it is strength. He operates like fire, he is a dangerous servant and a fearsome master; At no time should irresponsible hands be allowed to control it.

Who has the power and how they use it can have different effects on the lives of each of us. It is necessary that the person holding it be someone capable and responsible.

7. Freedom, when it begins to take root, is a fast-growing plant

Sometimes it is difficult for us to overcome our own and other people’s impositions and act freely, but when the idea of ​​doing so begins to be raised, it expands rapidly and tends to generate increasingly marked action to achieve it.

8. There is no distance that can keep lovers apart for long.

When we love someone, we are able to overcome distance and possible obstacles in order to be with that person.

9. Discipline is the soul of the army. It makes a small group formidable, gives strength to the weak and raises everyone’s self-esteem.

Be able to maintain discipline It allows us to successfully direct ourselves, learn to obey orders, recognize our potential and overcome our supposed limits.

10. Be courteous to everyone, but intimate with few and be careful who you give your trust to.

While we should accept and be kind to our fellow citizens, this phrase tells us that trust is something that must be earned and deserved.

11. If this nation hopes to be ignorant and free, it will never be

Freedom comes hand in hand with knowledge, which makes us able to go beyond what already exists and adapt different visions of reality.

12. Example, whether good or bad, has a powerful influence

Both good and bad, the actions they carry out and their consequences influence us, learning a way of acting and allowing us to replicate or avoid it.

13. To err is natural, but to rectify the error is glory

Error is not something that can be criminalized but rather something positive that allows us to learn. After observing it, we are able to repair said error by rectification, or avoid producing it again in the future.

14. When we assume to be soldiers, we do not stop being citizens

All the people who are part of a society do not leave only a part of it regardless of their role.

15. Anything will give us its secrets if we love it enough

Love for something or someone allows us to observe their qualities and secrets in many cases allowing the loved one to obtain information from it or providing it directly.

16. True friendship is a plant of slow development and must experience and resist the attacks of adversity before having the right to that name.

True friendship involves loyalty and being by that person’s side for both the good and the bad.

17. It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

In most things it is preferable to have quality over quantity, including in this case the company of other people or their degree of capacity for a certain function.

18. When a people has become incapable of governing itself and is in a position to submit to a master, it matters little where this master comes from.

This phrase tells us about conformity and the ability to let oneself be dominated.

19. I hate nothing more than ingratitude

When someone does something for us, at the very least we should be able to recognize and appreciate that something and not be ungrateful.

20. My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever met. Everything I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all the successes in this life to the moral, intellectual and physical training that I received from her.

We must not forget our roots or those who have raised us and contributed to our development, since in large part thanks to them we are where we are.

21. Associate with men of quality if you value your own reputation, because it is better to be alone than in bad company.

This phrase pushes us to link ourselves to those people who show us their esteem and worth avoiding those who do not love us well.

22. In England, freedom is seen as a kind of idol. The people are taught to love it and believe in it, but they see very few of its results. The people can move freely, but within high walls

Sometimes we believe we are free when in reality we are only allowed to act within certain limits, despite the contrary being advocated.

23. The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and modify their government constitutions

Power is in the hands of the people, who confer power on the government and the entities that direct it, as well as the creation and application of laws.

24. Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected

Both concepts are linked, since complying with what we believe is right induces feelings of pride and happiness in us.

25. There is no need to look back unless it is to obtain useful lessons from the mistakes of the past and with the purpose of taking advantage of the experience that has cost so dearly.

We must continue to progress without stopping. The past is useful to avoid repeating mistakes and learn from it, but it should not prevent us from moving forward.

26. If they take away our freedom of expression then, foolish and silenced, they can lead us like sheep to the slaughter.

Being able to express oneself is necessary, otherwise we will be subjected to the actions of those who prevent it.

27. There are few men who have the virtue to resist the highest bidder

It is easy to believe yourself virtuous, but when push comes to shove it can be difficult to be.

28. Knowing something of human nature will convince us that for the vast majority of mankind self-interest is the dominant principle, and that almost every man is more or less under its influence. Few men are willing to continually sacrifice, for the benefit of all, their personal conveniences or advantages. It is useless to cry out against the depravity of human nature because of this; It is a fact, the experience of every age and nation has proven it, and we have to greatly change the constitution of man before we can change such a situation.

A large part of people are governed by their own interest, ignoring the needs of others if this causes them discomfort or harm. Washington proposes the need to change ourselves in the face of be able to seek the common good

29. When you speak about God or his attributes, do so with all seriousness and reverence

George Washington was deeply religious, but even if he was not, it is necessary to respect the beliefs of others, whether shared or not.

30. Dying is hard, but I’m not afraid to leave. Alright

According to his secretary, who assisted him in his last moments along with other friends, these were Washington’s last words.

31. Promoting literature and the arts is a duty that every good citizen owes to his country

Art is an indispensable part of culture of a society, its promotion being something desirable and of great importance.

32. True men despise battle, but never flee from it

We must be able to fight for what we want even though we may not like fighting for it. In this case it refers to the war conflict.

33. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph

The things that cost us the most effort to achieve imply a feeling of triumph once they are achieved.

34. Let your heart feel for everyone’s afflictions and anguish

We must be able to empathize and put ourselves in the shoes of others. Feeling is not a weakness but a strength.

35. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all times

Great achievements have always been achieved through effort and the courage to fight and persist.

36. The experience gained does not reduce the reasons I have to distrust myself, and as the weight of my years grows more and more, they constantly warn me that the shadow of retirement must be as necessary as it is pleasant to me.

Having experience does not mean being absolutely right or not doubting one’s own ability.

37. Do not be happy in another’s misfortune, even though he may be your enemy

Taking pleasure in the suffering of others, even if they are enemies, is an act of selfishness and cruelty.

38. In the end the truth will prevail where there is pain in bringing it to light

For the truth to prevail, there must be an effort to make it visible.

39. Precedents are dangerous things: they let the reins of government rest and be held with a firm hand.

Relying only on precedents causes us to repeat the mistakes of the past and we cannot learn from it to improve.

40. My first wish is to see this plague of humanity, war, banished from the earth

Although conflict sometimes exists, we should only wish to be able to improve the world and end hatred and war.