George Washington Quotes

How shall Integrity face Oppression? What shall Honesty do in the face of Deception, Decency in the face of Insult, Self-Defense before Blows? How shall Desert and Accomplishment meet Despising, Detraction, and Lies? What shall Virtue do to meet Brute Force? There are so many answers and so contradictory; and such differences for those on the one hand who meet questions similar to this once a year or once a decade, and those who face them hourly and daily.

In the face of brutality I was prudent. Before injustice I held my peace. I sacrificed the things in hand for the good of the hypothetical whole. I believed in the tongue instead of the fist. As an armor against oppression I taught patience and faith in the human soul. I know now how wrong I was. I have been a traitor to myself and to my people. All that is rot.

On the one hand, we may tell the truth, regardless of consequences, and on the other hand we may mellow it and sophisticate it to make it humane and tolerable.

It isn't polls or public opinion at the moment that counts. It is right and wrong and leadership--men with fortitude, honesty, and a belief in the right that makes epochs in the history of the world.

It's far better to make people angry than to make them ashamed.

It is for us to make the effort. The result is always in God's hands.

The righteous man takes his life in his hand whenever he utters the truth.

May the Almighty grant that the cause of truth, justice, and humanity, shall in no wise suffer at my hands.

Don't forget that in the history of the world, there was a plebiscite, in which Christ and Barabbas were being judged, and the people chose Barabbas.

And is he honest who resists his genius or conscience only for the sake of present ease or gratification

A pure heart won't get us out of conflict and controversy. It may well be the very thing that gets us into it.

The hero is valorous because he stands up to every threat directed against his values. Heroism requires value conflict.

This job of playing God is a little too big for me. Nevertheless, someone has to do it, so I'll try my best to fake it.

Princes rule the people, and their own passions rule Princes; but Providence can over-rule the whole, and draw the instruments of his inscrutable purposes from the vices, no less than the virtues of Kings.

If all mankind were suddenly to practice honesty, many thousands of people would be sure to starve.

I've always considered myself a man of integrity as a leader of the American Indian Movement and of Indian people. I will stand that test against anyone at anytime, anywhere.

America undermines its own ideals when it ignores the very values it is promoting around the world. You cannot ask other people in the world to follow the law and act responsibly if we don't do the same... and being afraid is not an excuse.

Those who really deserve praise are the people who, while human enough to enjoy power, nevertheless pay more attention to justice than they are compelled to do by their situation.

It is only in misery that we recognize the hand of God leading good men to good.

All ethical people strive to choose "right" over "easy" when confronted by situations that force them to choose one or the other.

It's easier to be hedonistic and just chase after whatever appeals to your senses. That's the life of an animal, you just do. It's more difficult to stand by your convictions and have people berate you on both sides and feel like there's no home for you.

The public wants elected officials who have character. The public wants elected officials who are willing to stand up and say things, even if they don't agree with them.

I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old.

Do what is right, not what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good.

We sincerely and earnestly believe in peace; but if peace and justice conflict, we scorn the man who would not stand for justice though the whole world came in arms against him.