The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot

by Stephen E. Lucas (Editor)

Our nation's first president is not usually thought of as a man of words. Unlike the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials in the nation's capital, the Washington monument is inscribed with no words for the benefit of posterity. Yet Washington was keenly aware of the power and importance of language. From the time of his entrance into the public arena at the age of twenty to his death forty-seven years later, he produced a steady stream of letters, reports, memoranda, addresses, messages, and speeches designed to express his views and to persuade people to them. Here, collected in an elegant volume, is the authoritative selection of Washington's thoughts and observations culled from his public discourse and private correspondence. As we read his comments on subjects as diverse as government, foreign policy, religious freedom, friendship, character, and relations between the sexes, we find that his words are often as applicable to our own time as they were to his.

Genres: Presidents, American History, Nonfiction, History

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Stephen E. Lucas is Professor of Communication Arts and Evjue-Bascom Professor in the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has taught since 1972.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"Silence, in some cases, speak more intelligibly than the sweetest eloquence." -- George Washington, written to his unrequited crush Sally Fairfax, in 1758

U.S. presidents Jefferson, Lincoln and Kennedy - to name just a notable few - are among the usual on the 'go-to' list for a quotable and/or shrewd line. (I suppose it also helps that they are venerated for being well-read, too.) However, the country's very first commander-in-chief - who, as author Lucas reminds us, was highly respected but not always thought of as a man of words - proves that he occasionally knew how to craft a nifty phrase or nail a keen comment as well. The Quotable George Washington collects hundreds of excerpts of Washington's written dialogue to his friends and/or colleagues like Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, and Benedict Arnold (!) spanning from his farming years, to wartime status, to the presidential era, and then retirement. Every so often there was prose that was startlingly relatable or pertinent that it translates across the centuries.

[William Bahr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take note: probably not always real quotes!

The book is well-bound, and the quotes are nicely presented. Unfortunately, the publisher has included a number of "quotes" (no pun intended) which are spurious, things which Washington more than likely never said or wrote.

Confirmed by Mount Vernon as spurious is this quote: “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

I would challenge the publisher to include source citations in the next revision, whereupon I believe he or she will opt to remove more than a few of the selections. If that happens, I'll be happy to move my overall rating higher. In the meantime, I'd caution everyone to avoid taking some of these quotes to the bank without further investigation -- a shame, given the otherwise keepsake quality of the work.

[Jackie]

"To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to its country."

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew that George Washington was a great man, who lead the county through vary hard times, I did Not know, however, what a great speaker he was, In this book, you will see the greatness of his mind, and his speech patterns, It is no wonder he is so admired to quote one of my favorite quotations "It is better to offer no excuse, than a bad one" This book is a must read for anyone interested in one of the great founding Fathers

[Rae Shue · Rating 4 out of 5]

We often forget that Washington was a man of many words, but he used them ONLY when they were needed. It is no wonder he was often called upon to settle disputes and to lift morale. Reading this boosted my morale. Short, yes, because Washington had so much more to say, but those words may very well be lost. A great read!

[William Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book of quotes from GW.