GW

I said before that George Washington is my favorite president, and I definitely meant it. There are so many things I admire about him that it's almost too many to count. An honest, God-fearing man, he was a chosen leader led directly by inspiration to set up the greatest country the world ever knew. Until we irrevocably screwed it up in the 20th and 21st centuries...

So apart from being a gifted military leader, a devout Christian, and a capable political leader, there's one thing about him that I think stands above everything else. Namely, when a friend, Lewis Nicola, wrote Washington a letter floating the idea that Washington establish himself as a monarch or king over America, Washington flatly dismissed the idea.

Would our current president dismiss the idea? Uh, no.

There are enough awesome Washington quotes to fill a full volume, but the following are some of my favorite. Can you even imagine a modern president saying anything like:

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. 

The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. 

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. 

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth. 

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. 

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. 

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

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments. 

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it. 

The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it. 

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