We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose read more

We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.

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.

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.

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.

If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one read more

If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.

In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the read more

In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?

America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no read more

America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining.

I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.

I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.

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....