“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

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

“It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.”

“The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

“To contract new debts is not the way to pay for old ones.”

“No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass.”

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

“Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”

“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.”

“I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.”

“I hope, some day or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world.”

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

“Jealousy, and local policy mix too much in all our public councils for the good government of the Union. In a words, the confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance.”

“Observe good faith and justice towards all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” – George Washington

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

“I go to the chair of government with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.”

“The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity.”

“No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass.”

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

“Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.”

“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.”

“When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.”

“The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.”

“The foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion, that Providence will not leave its work imperfect.”

“The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.”

“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections.”

“In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.”

“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and the distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.”

“‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

“No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm.”

“In our progress toward political happiness my station is new; and if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.”

“[A] good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.”

“Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a nation be just.”

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.”

“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”

“More permanent and genuine happiness is to be found in the sequestered walks of connubial life than in the giddy rounds of promiscuous pleasure.”

“A people who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.”

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

“I shall make it the most agreeable part of my duty to study merit, and reward the brave and deserving.”

“99 Percent of failures come from people who make excuses.”

“No taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant.”

“I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy.”

“Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.”

“Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by a difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated.”

“I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”

“We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.”

“There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.”