Father, I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet.

Often credited to George Washington · The cherry tree story was invented by Parson Weems; the line is Mark Twain's joke.

Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

George Washington · Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour. Sparks 'Life of Washington' (1839) vol. 2, p. 109.

More Historical Quotes

We must learn the difficult lesson that the future of mankind will only be tolerable when our course, in world affairs as in all other matters, is based upon justice and law rather than the threat of naked power.

Albert Einstein · From his message for the Gandhi memorial service, 11 February 1948.

Where one is happy, there is one's homeland.

A Latin saying, ubi bene, ibi patria, with roots in Cicero and Aristophanes.

O liberty! O liberty! What crimes are committed in thy name!

Madame Roland · The source reads: “O libertè! O libertè! que de crimes on commet en ton nom! O liberty! O liberty! what crimes are committed in thy name!”

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“Father, I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet.”

“Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

“We must learn the difficult lesson that the future of mankind will only be tolerable when our course, in world affairs as in all other matters, is based upon justice and law rather than the threat of naked power.”

“Where one is happy, there is one's homeland.”

“O liberty! O liberty! What crimes are committed in thy name!”