George Washington and the Overdue Book

George Washington was unafraid. The British? They had tried to break him, but he stood firm. The harsh winters, his depleted troops, and even the daunting task of forging a nation from nothing—none of these had ever caused him to waver. No, Washington faced it all with the kind of unshakable courage that made legends out of men. But there was one thing that gnawed at him, a single forgotten detail that weighed heavier on him than any war he had fought.

An overdue library book.

It wasn’t just any book. The Law of Nations was a hefty tome, filled with principles that had guided Washington through the revolution and into the founding of the new republic. He had borrowed it from the New York Society Library some time ago—1789, to be exact. Now, years had passed, and the book was nowhere to be found. And for the first time in his life, Washington, the man who had stared down the might of the British Empire, felt a bit sheepish.

It wasn’t the cost of the book or the overdue fine that bothered him. No, it was something deeper. Washington had always prided himself on doing what was right, no matter how small or how seemingly insignificant. But this was an oversight, a lapse in discipline. The man who had fought for liberty was now wrestling with a forgotten piece of borrowed knowledge.

But courage, Washington knew, wasn’t just about facing down armies or leading a nation. It was about integrity, accountability, and the willingness to correct even the smallest of errors. He would not allow an overdue book to tarnish his record of honesty and virtue.

With a resolute heart, Washington wrote a letter to the library, acknowledging the missing book. It wasn’t an easy task—no one likes admitting to something so trivial. But Washington understood that true courage lies not in avoiding mistakes, but in owning up to them. In his mind, this small act of honesty held just as much weight as crossing the Delaware or enduring Valley Forge.

The library, of course, had long forgotten about the book. Years had passed, and no one expected the first President of the United States to return a borrowed volume. But to Washington, this was more than just a book. It was a symbol of the principles he held dear: courage, honesty, and the relentless pursuit of doing what was right.

In the same way George Washington found the courage to return an overdue book, courageous companies face their challenges head-on. They understand that real strength isn’t just in the big moments but in the willingness to acknowledge and correct even the smallest oversights.

Ready to build a courageous company? Become a Courage Insider and unlock your team's potential. You can book me for a keynote, workshop, or courageous leadership coaching by emailing [email protected] or visiting thecourageinside.com.