Maxims of George Washington: Political, Military, Social, Moral and Religious

by George Washington, Gerald R Ford (Introduction), John Frederick Schroeder (Editor)

Comprising hundreds of direct quotations culled from George Washington's correspondence, diaries, and speeches, this volume is a delightful, unique, and authoritative source for the beliefs, morals, and insights that guided America's greatest national hero. A selection of quotations about Washington by luminaries throughout the world, an index, and a chronology of Washington's life complete the volume. 31 illustrations. Index. Chronology. Bibliography.

Genres: History

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

George Washington was an American military leader, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first President of the United States. He is often referred to as the "Father of His Country" for the central role he played in the founding and early development of the nation.
Born into a family of Virginia planters, Washington grew up on the family's estates and received limited formal education. As a young man, he became a land surveyor, which provided him valuable knowledge of the American frontier. He began his military career in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War, gaining experience that would later serve him during the American Revolution.
In 1775, with tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain reaching a breaking point, Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress. Leading a force that was often underfunded, poorly equipped, and inexperienced, Washington faced a series of challenges. Despite suffering early defeats, he demonstrated resilience and strategic skill, securing important victories at Trenton and Princeton. His leadership at the Siege of Yorktown led to the surrender of British forces and ultimately secured American independence.
Following the Revolutionary War, Washington voluntarily resigned his commission and returned to private life at Mount Vernon, a move that reinforced the principle of civilian control of the military. However, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation soon became evident, and Washington returned to public service as the presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. His steady leadership helped facilitate the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution.
Unanimously elected as the first President, Washington took office in 1789 and served two terms. During his presidency, he set many important precedents that would shape the role of the executive branch, including the creation of a Cabinet and the peaceful transfer of power. His leadership style emphasized unity and national identity at a time when political divisions threatened the stability of the new republic.
Washington's foreign policy was characterized by neutrality, particularly during the conflicts arising from the French Revolution. He promoted peaceful relations with foreign powers, most notably through the Jay Treaty with Great Britain. Domestically, he dealt with challenges such as the Whiskey Rebellion, asserting the authority of the federal government to maintain order.
Although a wealthy plantation owner who held enslaved people throughout his life, Washington's views on slavery evolved over time. In his will, he made arrangements to free the individuals he directly owned, setting a precedent among the Founding Fathers and reflecting his personal conflict over the institution.
After completing two terms, Washington declined to seek a third, emphasizing the importance of term limits and setting a lasting example. In his Farewell Address, he warned against the dangers of political factions and entanglements in foreign affairs, advice that influenced American political thought for generations.
George Washington's legacy endures in American culture, politics, and national identity. His name and image have been commemorated in countless ways, from the capital city of Washington, D.C., to monuments, currency, and public institutions. Admired for his leadership, character, and devotion to republican ideals, Washington remains one of the most respected figures in United States history.

Reviews

[William Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maximal Washington

I purchased this book for further research on my own book about Washington (his Liberty Key) to test and confirm my view of Washington's "key to liberty" (the triad of character, culture, and constitution). I have not been disappointed. In "Maxims of Washington" one essentially finds a compendium of Washington's quotes nicely arranged by subject. Instead of web-searching his quotes and having them arrive in an unsorted jumble or together with spurious quotes from unauthoritative sources, now you have them in a form not only for ready-reference and quick look-up, but also for causal, themed reading from a master of politics. Yes, this book is a reprint. However, it's nicely bound, shows very few instances (such as slightly faded print) of being a photographic reprint, and has large margins allowing the reader to make plenty of notes.

[Ron Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read with lots of wonderful maxims. I found it to be 100 times more revealing than any of the stories I heard about Washington. The story increased my respect for the man. I even visited some of historical sites on the East Coast based on my appreciation for the book: i.e. his favorite restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.