George Washington Quotes

A Top 10 of the best George Washington quotes and some background information about one of the greatest figures of American history.

Profile: Born 1732 in Virginia, U.S. George Washington was 11 when his father died. After his half-brother died he inherited an estate, becoming a plantation owner at the age of 20.

His first taste of military action came in 1754 against the French, he won the first battle but surrendered the second in a war to decide who would rule North America. Washington was successfully in command of all Virginia's forces before he resigned his commission in 1758.

He then married and became a justice of the peace. George Washington opposed the British colonial policies and when tensions finally gave way to war he was named commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and served until 1783 two years after the war ended.

Washington was elected the 1st United States president in 1789 serving to 1797. He retired to Mount Vernon spending his remaining years on his plantations where he died on Dec 12, 1799 from an infection of the throat.

A Top 10 List of
George Washington Quotes

1:
Associate with men of good quality
if you esteem your own reputation;
for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

- George Washington

2:

"Ninety-nine percent of the failures
come from people who have the habit of making excuses."

- George Washington



3:

"An army of asses led by a lion is better
than an army of lions led by an ass."

- George Washington



4:

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few,
and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
True friendship is a plant of slow growth,
and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity
before it is entitled to the appellation."

- George Washington



5:

"To be prepared for war
is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

- George Washington



6:

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

- George Washington



7:

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."

- George Washington



8:

"My mother was the most beautiful women I ever saw.
All I am I owe to my mother.
I attribute all my success in life to the moral,
intellectual and physical education I received from her."

- George Washington



9:

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force.
Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

- George Washington



10:

"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations.
Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

- George Washington

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More George Washington Quotes...

"Labor to keep alive in your breast
that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."

- George Washington

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"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair;
the rest is in the hands of God."

- George Washington

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"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

- George Washington

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"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone,
and let your hand give in proportion to your purse."

- George Washington

~

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."

- George Washington

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