Washington Farewell Address: Goodbye with Humility paragraph 50

50 Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope, that my Country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.  

In summation, we see the heart of a truly humble man.  Humility is not a trait we often espouse today.  We say be “proud” of yourself.  While I do not begrudge “self-esteem”  or a certain sense of accomplishment, George Washington shows true “self-esteem”.  He has served our country faithfully for forty-five years, and yet he is “too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors.”  A truly successful, humble, hero, is sensible who he really is.  A person who is a True hero, who has true self-esteem, is one who can readily admit their faults.  This is incredibly hard to do.  To embrace your faults, admit them, apologize for them, is a rarity today.  G.W.  in his last public statement readily admits that he is fallible.  How refreshing is that?  He states that he cannot think of an intentional error, but readily admits the probability of unintentional errors.  It is really remarkable.  I believe him.  As one studies G.W., one sees a man that desires for integrity in everything he does.  Even his harshest critics admit that his integrity was impeccable.  Also, one sees George Washington’s reliance upon the “Almighty” or God to mitigate his failings consequences.  This shows once again a look into G.W. view of faith.  This one statement can disprove the assertions of some scholars that George Washington was somehow a Deist.  A Deist is one who believes there is a God, that He made the world, but is a dispassionate observer of events now.  He is a Clockmaker.. He made the clock and now it just runs.  George Washington gives over his failings to the Almighty, hoping that God will intervene and mitigate the effects of his errors. He believes in a God that is actively involved in the affairs of men.  He ends with the hope that his country will forget his failings as he moves into his final rest.  I think his desire has come to fruition in his fellow countrymen today.