Action not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

— George Washington

Actions not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

— George Washington

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency.

— George Washington

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.

— George Washington

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?

— George Washington

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

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

— George Washington

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

— George Washington

Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those few be well-tried before you give them your confidence.

— George Washington