Tag Archives: George Washington

First Principles: A Good Moral Character Is the First Essential In A Man

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man…” – George Washington

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First Principles: There Can Be No Greater Error Than To Expect or Calculate Upon Real Favors From Nation to Nation

“There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation. ‘Tis an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.“ – George Washington (1796)

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First Principles: The Jealousy of A Free People Ought To Be Constantly Awake; Since History and Experience Prove That Foreign Influence Is One of the Most Baneful Foes of Republican Government

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Is the Duty of All Nations To Acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, To Obey His Will, Be Grateful For His Benefits, and Humbly Implore His Protection and Favor

“(I)t is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor…” – George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789 … Continue reading

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First Principles: To Be Prepared For War Is One of the Most Effectual Means of Preserving Peace

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” – George Washington (1790)

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First Principles: Freedom of Speech May Be Taken Away, and, Dumb and Silent We May Be Led Like Sheep, To the Slaughter

[I]f Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Bosom of America Is Open To Receive Not Only the Opulent and Respectable Stranger, but the Oppressed and Persecuted

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted … if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” —George Washington (1783)

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First Principles: No Mound of Parchment Can Be So Formed As To Stand Against the Sweeping Torrent of Boundless Ambition

“No mound of parchment can be so formed as to stand against the sweeping torrent of boundless ambition on the one side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other.” – George Washington (1789)

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First Principles: There Is But One Straight Course, and That Is To Seek Truth and Pursue It Steadily

“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.” – George Washington (1795)

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First Principles: The Hour Is Fast Approaching, On Which the Honor and Success of This Army, and the Safety of Our Bleeding Country Depend

“The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend.” – George Washington (1776)

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