40 quotes by George Washington to learn about his life and legacy.

As one of the fathers of the United States, he expressed his vision of life in several reflections.

The United States of America proclaimed its independence from the English in 1776. One of the main figures who promoted this independence was George Washington, one of the founding fathers of the United States..

Washington is among the so-called founding fathers and commander in chief of the revolutionary army during the War of Independence, he would become the first president of the United States. Throughout his life and term of office he made interesting reflections on numerous topics such as freedom and politics.

In this article we will see some of George Washington's best quotes that reflect these reflections.

A selection of phrases of George Washington

Below you can find a series of phrases by George Washington on various topics.

Work to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, the conscience.

This phrase expresses the need to act on the basis of our conscience.

2. To persevere in the fulfillment of one's duty and to keep silent is the best answer to slander.

To answer the accusations of others does not lead us anywhere, besides, the one who attacks usually reveals himself in the same process.

3. Being prepared for war is one of the most effective means to preserve peace.

Being prudent and preparing for worst-case scenarios can help us avoid them.

4. I hope to always have enough firmness and virtue to preserve what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles: the character of an honest man.

It is said that power can corrupt people.Honesty is one of the virtues that allow us to be coherent with ourselves and with the world.

5. Religion and morality are essential pillars of civil society.

Beliefs and values are a very important part of our being and are part of the organization of society.

6. The government is not a reason, neither is it eloquence, it is force. It operates like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearsome master; at no time should irresponsible hands be allowed to control it.

Who has the power and how they use it can have different effects on the life of each one of us. It is necessary that whoever holds it be someone capable and responsible.

7. Freedom, when it begins to take root, is a fast-growing plant.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to overcome our own and other people's impositions and act freely, but when we begin to raise the idea of doing so, it expands rapidly and tends to generate an increasingly marked action to achieve it.

8. There is no distance that can keep lovers apart for long.

When we love someone, we are capable of overcoming distance and possible obstacles in order to be with that person.

9. Discipline is the soul of the army. It makes a small group formidable, gives strength to the weak and raises everyone's self-esteem.

Being able to maintain discipline makes us able to successfully lead ourselves, learn to obey orders, recognize our potential and overcome our supposed limits.

10. Be polite to everyone, but with few intimates and be careful to whom you give your trust.

While we should accept and be kind to our fellow citizens, this phrase tells us that trust is something that must be earned and deserved.

11. If this nation expects to be ignorant and free, it will never be so.

Freedom comes from knowledge, which makes us capable of going beyond what already exists and adapting different visions of reality.

12. Example, whether good or bad, has a powerful influence.

Whether good or bad, the actions they carry out and their consequences influence us, learning a way of acting and allowing us to replicate or avoid it.

13. To err is natural, but to rectify the error is the glory.

Error is not something that can be criminalized, but something positive that allows us to learn. After observing it, we are able to repair the error by rectifying it, or to prevent it from occurring again in the future.

14. When we become soldiers, we do not cease to be citizens.

All people who are part of a society do not leave only a part of it regardless of their role.

15. Anything will yield its secrets to us if we love it enough.

Love for something or someone allows us to observe their qualities and secrets.In many cases, the loved one allows us to obtain information from it or to provide it directly.

16. True friendship is a slow growing plant and must experience and withstand the onslaught of adversity before it is entitled to such a name.

True friendship involves loyalty and standing by that person through thick and thin.

17. It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.

In most things it is preferable to have quality rather than quantity, including in this case the company of other people or their degree of capacity for a given function.

18. When a people have become incapable of governing themselves and are in a position to submit to a master, it matters little where the master comes from.

This phrase speaks to us of conformism and the capacity to allow oneself to be dominated.

19. I abhor nothing more than ingratitude.

When someone does something for us, we should at least be able to recognize and be grateful for it and not be ungrateful.

20. My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever knew. I owe everything I am to my mother. I attribute all my successes in this life to the moral, intellectual and physical formation I received from her.

We must not forget our roots or those who have raised us and contributed to our development, since it is largely thanks to them that we are where we are.

21. Associate with men of quality if you value your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

This phrase urges us to to associate with those people who show us their esteem and value, avoiding those who do notavoiding those who do not love us well.

22. In England, freedom is seen as a kind of idol. The people are taught to love it and believe in it, but see very few of its results. The people can move freely, but within high walls.

Sometimes we believe we are free when in reality we are only allowed to act within certain limits, despite claims to the contrary.

23. The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and modify their constitutions of government.

Power is in the hands of the people, who confer power to the government and its governing bodies, as well as the creation and enforcement of laws.

24. Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

Both concepts are linked, since doing what we believe to be right induces feelings of pride and happiness.

25. We should not look back unless it is to draw useful lessons from the mistakes of the past and for the purpose of profiting from the experience that has cost us so dearly.

We must continue to progress without stopping. The past is useful in order to avoid repeating mistakes and to learn from them. and to learn from it, but it should not prevent us from moving forward.

26. If they take away our freedom of expression, then, dumb and silenced, they can lead us like sheep to the slaughter.

It is necessary to be able to express ourselves, otherwise we will be subjected to the actions of those who prevent it.

27. There are few men who have the virtue to resist the highest bidder.

It is easy to believe oneself virtuous, but at the moment of truth it can be difficult to be so.

28. A knowledge of human nature will convince us that for the vast majority of mankind self-interest is the dominant principle, and that almost every man is more or less under its influence. Few men are willing to sacrifice continuously, for the benefit of all, their personal conveniences or advantages. It is useless to cry out against the depravity of human nature because of this; it is a fact, the experience of every age and nation has proved it, and we have to change the constitution of man to a great extent before we can change such a situation.

A large proportion of people are governed by their own self-interest, ignoring the needs of others if it will inconvenience or injure them. Washington proposes the need to change ourselves in order to be able to seek the common good. to be able to seek the common good.

29. When you speak of God or his attributes, do so with all seriousness and reverence.

George Washington was deeply religious, but even when he was not, it is necessary to respect the beliefs of others, whether or not you share them.

30. Dying is hard, but I am not afraid to go. It is well

According to his secretary, who assisted him in his last moments along with other friends, these were Washington's last words.

31. To promote literature and the arts is a duty that every good citizen owes to his country.

Art is an indispensable part of the culture of a society, and its promotion is desirable and of great importance.

32. True men despise battle, but never flee from it.

We should be able to fight for what we desire even though fighting for it may not be to our liking. In this case it refers to the war conflict.

33. The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.

The things that cost us the most effort to achieve are a sense of triumph once they are achieved.

34. Let your Heart feel for the afflictions and anguish of all.

We must be able to empathize and put ourselves in the shoes of others. To feel is not a weakness but a strength.

35. Perseverance and spirit have worked wonders in all times.

Great achievements have always been accomplished through effort and the courage to struggle and persevere. and the courage to struggle and persist.

36. The experience I have gained does not reduce the reasons I have for distrusting myself, and as the weight of my years grows heavier and heavier, these same years warn me unceasingly that the shadow of retirement must be as necessary as it is pleasant.

To have experience does not imply to be absolutely right or not to doubt one's own capacity.

37. Do not be happy in the misfortune of another, even though he may be your enemy.

To take pleasure in the suffering of others, even if they are your enemies, is an act of selfishness and cruelty.

38. In the end the truth will prevail where there is the pain of bringing it to light.

For truth to prevail there must be an effort to make it visible.

39. Precedents are dangerous things: they allow the reins of government to be supported and held with a firm hand.

Relying on precedent alone makes us repeat the mistakes of the past and fail to learn from it in order to improve.

40. My first wish is to see this scourge of humanity, war, banished from the earth.

Even though conflict sometimes exists, we should not but wish to be able to improve the world and put an end to hatred and war.