George Washington

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

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

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 grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

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

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

There is no restraining men's tongues or pens when charged with a little vanity.

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

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.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

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

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

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

The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered... deeply, ...finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.

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.

It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing.

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

There is nothing that gives a man consequence, and renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him independent of everybody but the State he serves.

Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!

I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.