If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

— George Washington

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

— George Washington

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.

— George Washington

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.

— George Washington

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."

— George Washington

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.

— George Washington

In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy.

— George Washington

I shall never ask refuse nor ever resign an office.

— George Washington

It [gaming] is the child of avarice the brother of iniquity and the father of mischief.

— George Washington

It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.

— George Washington