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Unlike Julius Caesar and Oliver Cromwell before him, and Napoleon, Lenin, and Mao after him, (Washington) understood that the greater glory resided in posterity's judgment. If you aspire to live forever in the memory of future generations, you must demonstrate the ultimate self-confidence to leave the final judgment to them.
Even if George Washington wasn't a vain man, he did care what others thought of him. Deeply, in fact. Throughout the fight for American independence, Washington was always concerned with how he would be viewed by history. It would concern him through the formation of the Republic and throughout his two terms as President.
Consider that George Washington could have remained President as long as he wanted. The act of stepping down after his second term cemented his place in history. He was the great conqueror, the father of a great nation, and he relinquished control voluntarily, perhaps even eagerly.
Washington's eagerness to be remembered as a great man throughout history made him a better leader and a better man.
Source - His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis
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