George Washington penned these words while serving as a 25-year-old colonel during the French and Indian War. The quote originates from his official Letter of Instructions to the Captains of the Virginia Regiment, issued from Fort Loudoun on July 29, 1757.

He needed to bring the young, inexperienced volunteers to be fighting-ready in short order.

Discipline was what he thought would get them there. 

Being disciplined, in whatever we do, seems to be the ticket to orderly accomplishments.

The full excerpt from his 1757 order reads:

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all; and may in a peculiar manner to us, who are in the way to be joined to Regulars in a very short time, and of distinguishing thro' this means, from other Provincials."