Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
George WashingtonRead
At my age, and in my circumstances, what sinister object, or personal emolument had I to seek after, in this life? The growing infirmities of age and the increasing love of retirement, daily confirm my decided predilection for domestic life: and the great Searcher of human hearts is my witness, that I have no wish, which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm.
Interpretation
The quote reflects George Washington's contentment with a simple, private life, free from ambition for power or wealth.
George Washington expresses a deep sense of fulfillment in his current stage of life. At his age, he finds no desire for power or wealth, instead cherishing the peacefulness of domestic life and the joys of retirement. He acknowledges the natural inclination towards simplicity and contentment, valuing the humble existence of a private citizen over the chaotic pursuits of public life.
In practice
Quote can be used in a retirement speech to emphasize the joys of a simple life.
Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
The duty of holding a Neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of Peace and amity toward other Nations.
We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed we must bear the present evils and fortitude
What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
Come children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.
Most people honestly want to do as well as they can in their lives.
You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories.
Generations have been working in jobs they hate, just so they can buy what they don't really need.
Some people like what you do, some people hate what you do, but most people simply don't give a damn.
We spend our life until we’re twenty deciding what parts of ourself to put into the bag, and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.
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