Verified quotes
George Washington quotes, verified
George Washington led the Continental Army through the Revolutionary War and served as the first President of the United States. His orders, letters and Farewell Address helped shape the young nation. Every quote below is checked against the original document, with a link so you can read it yourself.
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14 verified George Washington quotes
“Discipline is the soul of an army.”
Instructions to Company Captains, Fort Loudoun, 29 July 1757
From instructions Washington wrote for the company captains of the Virginia Regiment at Fort Loudoun on 29 July 1757.
“I should enjoy more real happiness and felicity in one month with you, at home, than I have the most distant prospect of reaping abroad, if my stay was to be Seven times Seven years.”
Letter to Martha Washington, 18 Jun 1775
From a letter to his wife Martha written in Philadelphia on 18 June 1775, days after Congress named him commander of the Continental Army.
“The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army.”
General Orders, 2 Jul 1776
From Washington's General Orders to the Continental Army at New York on 2 July 1776, the same day Congress voted for independence.
“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
General Orders, Head-Quarters, Valley Forge; Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 15, 2 May 1778
From General Orders Washington issued at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on 2 May 1778, directing the brigade chaplains to hold Sunday services.
“The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy Age of ignorance and superstition, but at an Epocha when the rights of Mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period.”
Circular to the States, Head Quarters, Newburgh, 8 June 1783
From Washington's circular letter to the governors of the thirteen states, written at army headquarters in Newburgh, New York, in June 1783 as the war ended.
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”
Letter to James Madison, 2 Mar 1788
From a letter to James Madison written at Mount Vernon on 2 March 1788, as Virginia prepared to elect delegates to its ratifying convention.
“I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an honest man.”
Letter to Alexander Hamilton, Mount Vernon, 28 August 1788
From a letter Washington wrote at Mount Vernon to Alexander Hamilton on 28 August 1788, after the Constitution had been ratified.
“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
First Inaugural Address, 30 April 1789
Spoken at Federal Hall in New York City on 30 April 1789 in Washington's First Inaugural Address, shortly after he took the oath as the first President.
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”
Thanksgiving Proclamation, New York, 3 October 1789
The opening words of the first national Thanksgiving proclamation, issued by President Washington from New York on 3 October 1789.
“Every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”
Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, 18 Aug 1790
From Washington's reply to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, dated 18 August 1790, during his visit to the town as President.
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
Farewell Address; published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, 19 Sept 1796
From Washington's Farewell Address, published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser in Philadelphia on 19 September 1796.
“The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”
Farewell Address; published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser 19 Sept 1796. Manuscript: Washington Papers, Series 2, Letterbook 24, Library of Congress
From Washington's Farewell Address, published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser in Philadelphia on 19 September 1796.
“Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Farewell Address; published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser 19 Sept 1796. Manuscript: Washington Papers, Series 2, Letterbook 24, Library of Congress
From Washington's Farewell Address, published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser in Philadelphia on 19 September 1796.
“The Unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main Pillar in the Edifice of your real independence.”
Farewell Address, 19 September 1796
From the Farewell Address, dated 19 September 1796 and first printed in a Philadelphia newspaper as Washington prepared to leave the presidency.
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