Quote:
George Washington
“The test of the progress of mankind will be their appreciation of the character of Washington.”
—Lord Brougham
The ideals of American character and integrity were originally established by the examples set by our Founding Fathers. We have truly become children of their beliefs and the principles they honored. George Washington is perhaps the most eminent example. Even during his lifetime, Washington symbolized the quality of character that Americans look up to today. Daniel Webster said that America owed a considerable debt to the Old World, and that the debt has been paid through the character of Washington: “If our American institutions had done nothing else, that alone would entitle them to respect.” Even the fabricated cherry-tree story by Mason Locke Weems—“I can’t tell a lie, Pa; I cut it down with my hatchet”—is testament to the respect Washington’s integrity commands. There has perhaps never been an American who has been more revered in his lifetime.
Washington was a true living hero. He could have been king. Yet it was the example Washington set as our nation’s first president that gave America its respect, stability, and unique flavor of democracy. Henry Lee called Washington “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Other heroes have used their popularity to benefit their own kingdoms. Washington used his popularity to establish a code of conduct in which the welfare of the people came first. Because of Washington’s example, later American leaders have had a superior model to try to match.
Consider This: It is important for the leader to set a strong example of character and integrity. No rules or commandments will speak louder than a leader’s actions.
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From, A Daily Dose of the American Dream
Any other examples of leadership would be welcome.
A lot of problems that occur, occur because men wish to set up personal kingdoms.