Serious misfortunes, originating in misrepresentation, frequently flow and spread before they can be dissipated by truth.
I heard the bullets whistle – and believe me, there is something charming in the sound.
The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth.
Providence has at all times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us.
It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.
What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious.
The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.
Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
The best means of forming a manly, virtuous, and happy people will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail.
I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.
Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.
Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers make fine birds.
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more truly satisfied of this fact than I am.
In the appointments to the great offices of the government, my aim has been to combine geographical situation, and sometimes other considerations, with abilities and fitness of known characters.
We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.