Government Quotes by George Washington

Influence is no Government.

— George Washington

Influence is not government.

— George Washington

In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude.

— George Washington

To the efficacy and permanency of your union a government for the whole is indispensable.

— George Washington

Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.

— George Washington

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force.

— George Washington

The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury.

— George Washington

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

— George Washington

Even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror.

— George Washington

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

— George Washington

Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is…

— George Washington

... happily the Government of the United States... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

— George Washington

While just government protects all in their religious rites, true religion affords government its surest support.

— George Washington

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to…

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

The executive branch of this government never has, nor will suffer, while I preside, any improper conduct of its officers to escape…

— George Washington

History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.

— George Washington

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for…

— George Washington

Government being, among other purposes, instituted to protect the consciences of men from oppression, it certainly is the duty of Rulers, not…

— George Washington

I rejoice that liberty . . . now finds an asylum in the bosom of a regularly organized government; a government, which,…

— George Washington

If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it…

— George Washington

Liberty is indeed little less than a name, where the Government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine…

— George Washington

This spirit [of Party], unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human Mind. It…

— George Washington

I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concerns of…

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government, I have considered the first…

— George Washington

“Nothing can illustrate these observations more forcibly, than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and circumstances, under which our Republic…

— George Washington

If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from…

— George Washington

For myself the delay [in assuming the office of the President] may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure…

— George Washington

I shall take my present leave - but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in…

— George Washington

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep…

— George Washington

The art of war is at once comprehensive and complicated; ... it demands much previous study; and ... the possession of it,…

— George Washington

My fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe; who presides in the councils of nations; and whose providential…

— George Washington

Upon the whole I doubt whether the Benefits of opposition to the Constitution opposition to the Constitution will not ultimately be productive…

— George Washington

[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.

— George Washington

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.

— George Washington

A half-starved limping government, always moving upon crutches and tottering at every step...

— George Washington

Happiness is more effectually dispensed to mankind under a republican form of government than any other.

— George Washington

Precedents are dangerous things; let the rein of government then be braced and held with a steady hand

— George Washington

The U.S. is a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

— George Washington