George Washington

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."

"Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession."

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

"If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War."

"It is better to be alone than in bad company."

"It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company."

"Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

"Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive."

"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

"The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure."

"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."

"There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

"We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience."