George Washington

"The government of the United States is administered by the will of the people."

"Nature has bestowed upon us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue; to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak."

"Beware of the mischiefs of faction which serves to distract the public councils."

"I resolve to be virtuous though it gives me the greatest pain."

"I believe there is no one principle which predominates in human nature so much in every stage of life as this love of praise."

"The more we are separated and distinct in our settlements, the greater the chances of our being free and independent."

"The duty of holding a lighted candle to my country is all the patrimony I wish to bequeath to my children."

"To be worthy of this trust, I must lead by example and conviction rather than by authority."

"I have rather been a moderate drinker of wine; a strong promoter of agriculture and the interests of the farmers."

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

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty."

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."

"The freedom of persons, and the fate of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

"Lenience will be construed into weakness, and moderation into fear."

"The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave."

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

"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all."

"The love of one's country is a natural affection."

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

"Honesty and magnanimity should characterize the conduct of the state."

"Remember that you ought not to take an active part against your own country."

"The establishment of civil and religious liberty was the motive that induced me to the field of battle."

"In God is our trust."

"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

"My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth."

"As the foundation of our national policy shall be laid in the principles of private morality."

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

"I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny and every species of religious persecution."