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Words of Wisdom "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." "Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism." "Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected." "Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble." "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." "The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon." "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." "Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals." "My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth." "To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." "The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves." "Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God." "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." "Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company." "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." "It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it." "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all." "Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe." "Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports." "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." "Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." "I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country." Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession. “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” "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." "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." "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." "I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an Honest Man." "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 another." "In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude, which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me." "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee 78 requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." |
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