Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
George WashingtonRead
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can exist apart from religious principle.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that a nation's moral values are deeply intertwined with its religious beliefs.
George Washington argues that the ethical foundation of a nation cannot be sustained without the influence of religious principles. He suggests that both reason and experience support the idea that morality is fundamentally connected to faith, implying that religion plays a crucial role in guiding national values and behaviors.
Themes
MoralityReligionNationPrincipleExperienceReason
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of ethics in government.
More from George Washington
All quotes βIf, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
George WashingtonRead
The duty of holding a Neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of Peace and amity toward other Nations.
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We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed we must bear the present evils and fortitude
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What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
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Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
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