Happy Birthday*, George Washington
"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen..." - Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee
For his was the singular destiny and merit, of leading the armies of his country successfully through an arduous war, for the establishment of its independence; of conducting its councils through the birth of a government, new in its forms and principles, until it had settled down into a quiet and orderly train; and of scrupulously obeying the laws through the whole of his career, civil and military, of which the history of the world furnishes no other example. . . . These are my opinions of General Washington, which I would vouch at the judgment seat of God, having been formed on an acquaintance of thirty years. . . .I felt on his death, with my countrymen, that 'verily a great man hath fallen this day in Israel.' - Thomas Jefferson
View from Mount Vernon
My first wish is, to see this plague of mankind [war] banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent amusements, than in preparing implements, and exercising them, for the destruction of mankind. - George Washington
Mount Vernon barn
For the sake of humanity, it is devoutly to be wished that the manly employment of agriculture, and the humanizing benefit of commerce, would supersede the waste of war and the rage of conquest; that the swords might be turned into ploughshares, the spears into pruning-hooks, and, as the Scriptures express it, "the nations learn war no more." - George Washington
Mount Vernon, Washington's home
"One afternoon several young gentlemen, visitors at Mount Vernon, and myself were engaged in pitching the bar, one of the athletic sports common in those days, when suddenly the colonel appeared among us. He requested to be shown the pegs that marked the bounds of our efforts; then, smiling, and without putting off his coat, held out his hand for the missile. No sooner,"observed the narrator, with emphasis, "did the heavy iron bar feel the grasp of his mighty hand than it lost the power of gravitation, and whizzed through the air, striking the ground far, very far, beyond our utmost limits. We were indeed amazed, as we stood around, all stripped to the buff, with shirt sleeves rolled up, and having thought ourselves very clever fellows, while the colonel, on retiring, pleasantly observed, 'When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, I'll try again.'" Charles Willson Peale, recounting an incident of 1772, Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington (1861)
Washington Monument, Washington, D.C.
I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to "Anarchy" or "Despotism." - George Washington
More quotations from George Washington:
On government:
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.
It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.
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.
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.
To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones.
A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
On personal character:
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.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
I shall not be deprived ... of a comfort in the worst event, if I retain a consciousness of having acted to the best of my judgment.
Wisdom:
My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and
scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.
It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.
When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.
Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.
Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder.
*Washington was actually born on February 11, 1732, but when the colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar (from the Julian one), everyone skipped ahead 11 days.