Henry Cabot Lodge: “Men are governed very largely by impressions, and Washington knew it.”

Washington was wholly free from the vulgar ambition of the usurper, and the desire of mere personal aggrandizement found no place in his nature.

High words will not terrify us, loud declamation will not deter us from the discharge of that duty.

To put aside a crown for love of country is noble, but to look down upon such an opportunity indicates a much greater loftiness and strength of mind.

To have refused supreme rule, and then to have effected in the spirit and under the forms of free government all and more than the most brilliant of military chiefs could have achieved by absolute power, is a glory which belongs to…