George Washington

Recently I've been going over the War for American Independence (Revolutionary War :-) and the Constitution and such in some history lectures.

Since we were talking about heroes I thought I'd just post some quotes up by George Washington who was an amazing hero! :-)

I wish I could have found some more descriptions from contemporary men because some of them are pretty amazing, but as it was, I only could find one by Thomas Jefferson and an Englishman. Both not completely unbiased. :-) Thomas Jefferson, being a much more liberal non-Christian type, disagreed and argued with Washington a lot, but obviously still respected him. So, I guess its sort of interesting to have some descriptions from his "enemies".

George Washington receives a lot of flack today, but if you go to his original writings and quotes, it is completely unfounded. I hate it when people try to ruin a perfectly wonderful hero! Grrr....


I found the following on a George Washington Website....

The following description of Washington was written after his death by another founding father, Thomas Jefferson.

"His mind was great and powerful ... as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion ...

"Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once decided, going through his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed.

"His integrity was the most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known ...

"He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man ... On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect ... it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great ..."

And you can see a description of George Washington by a Englishman here. Its pretty interesting...

Here are just a few quotes I wanted to post. :-)

"I die hard but am not afraid to go."

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth."

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

"Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."

"The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."

"Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over the another."

"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country."

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without the God of the Bible."

One of his officers, Henry Lee (father of Robert E Lee), summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Thanks for reading,
Lv,
Miss Pickwickian