50 Inspirational George Washington Quotes About Leadership, Peace, And Freedom

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - George Washington was the first President of the United States. He was known not only for his leadership but also for his wise and inspirational words. Many people look to George Washington quotes for guidance and motivation in their own lives. His words continue to resonate with people of all ages, even today.

Inspirational George Washington quotes have the power to uplift and inspire us to be our best selves, to strive for greatness, and to always stay true to our values. Whether it's about the importance of honesty, integrity, and hard work, or the importance of unity and patriotism, George Washington's quotes have a timeless quality that transcends generations. His words have the ability to make us think, reflect, and take action in our own lives.

In this article, we will explore some of the most powerful and impactful George Washington quotes that have left a lasting impression on people around the world. We collected these quotes from various sources, Monday (16/2/2026).

1. "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."

2. "The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."

3. "Your love of liberty, your respect for the laws, your habits of industry, and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness."

4. "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."

5. "I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery."

6. "Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment."

7. "Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle."

8. "I am principled against this kind of traffic in the human species and to disperse the families I have an aversion."

9. "I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery."

10. "If we mean to support the liberty and independence which has cost us so much blood and treasure to establish, we must drive far away the demon of party spirit and local reproach."

1. "If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War."

2. "The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure."

3. "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

4. "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

5. "There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

6. "To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." - George Washington

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

8. "There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

9. "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

10. "Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the government."

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

2. "A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove."

3. "It is infinitely better to have a few good Men, than many indifferent ones."

4. "Remember that it is the actions, and not the commission, that make the officer, and that there is more expected from him, than the title."

5. “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

6. "A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass."

7. “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”

8. "Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get you there."

9. “Require nothing unreasonable of your officers and men, but see that whatever is required be punctually complied with. Reward and punish every man according to his merit, without partiality or prejudice; hear his complaints; if well founded, redress them; if otherwise, discourage them, in order to prevent frivolous ones. Discourage vice in every shape, and impress upon the mind of every man, from the first to the lowest, the importance of the cause, and what it is they are contending for.”

10. “A man’s intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.”

1. "99% of failures come from people who make excuses."

2. “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”

3. "When there is no vision, there is no hope."

4. "Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it."

5. "Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your strength."

6. "Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light."

7. "We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it."

8. "You have only one way to convince others, listen to them."

9. "Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world."

10. "Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble."

11. "Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."

12. "The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will."

13. "There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money"

14. "Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages."

15. "Have the strength to be an honest person."

16. "Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence."

17. "Great people are not affected by each puff of wind that blows ill. Like great ships, they sail serenely on, in a calm sea or a great tempest."

18. "If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst."

19. "To please everybody is impossible; were I to undertake it, I should probably please nobody."

20. "Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly."