George Washington Quote

"There can be no greater error than to expect,
or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation.
'Tis an illusion which experience must cure,
which a just pride ought to discard."

by:	George Washington (1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
Source:	Farewell Address, 1796. Reference: Maxims of George Washington, Schroeder, ed. (71)
Rating:
Categories:	America, Compassion, Foreign Policy, President, Responsibility, Self-Reliance, Sovereignty, Vigilance, Wisdom
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Optimistic and hopeful, while practical experience has only expanded the malignant illusion.  -- Mike, Norwalk
The General, as usual, got it right. As to expecting favours, give up on the idea that anything worthwhile will come from the corrupt U.N. It hasn't outlived it's usefulness since it never had any to start with. It was, however, very useful to the Reds by making it easy to get lots of spies into the U.S.  -- jim k, austin      1
I think George is a bit shallow here and his comment is just a product of his immediate time and surrondings. If Mike and Jim might take the time to study the history of Anglo-American, Franco American, Canadian American etcetera friendships over the years they have gain some enlightenment. Nation to nation favours are no different than person to person favours. They are predicated on the notion that we need each other. Of course the favours of one nation to another are expected to be returned one day. I am not surprised that Mike and Jim cannot understand interdependency this way. Hell they cannot even understand the idea of community and community school.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas      1
Once again it is Waffler that ignores wise words without really giving them any thought. It is TRADE between nations that creates the relationships between nations. Honest and free trade is what has made all nations prosperous, and that is all Washington ever wanted. But once a nation becomes imperialistic and justifies the invasion of other countries and the seizing of their resources, 'trade' is but a farce -- why trade when we can just take? AND we get to take more from our own citizens to justify the foreign wars -- and it all ends up in the pockets of the politicians. We can no more trust other nations' politicians than we can trust our own government -- that is why it was designed to be limited, distributive, and with checks and balances to prevent consolidation of power into fewer hands.  -- E Archer, NYC      2
Waffler, lol. I can't speak for jim but to correct your WRONG assessment again, I've studied history and that was the reason for my rating. Further its not that I don't understand your idea of community and community school, I disagree with: your conveyance of fundamentals concerning the subject, your new re-definition of terms, abuse of precise meanings and lawful / practical significance, and general abhorrence and fear of anything that is beyond your grand illusion of a slave state. Justice has been discarded domestically and, if you will study what codes, rules, statutes, etc. the UN have past, is considering now, and will pass (even to the basic legalization of pedophilia; parents having no rights concerning their children) it would probably even make you sick.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Very well put E Archer!  -- Anon
love his quotes!  -- angeles, chicago
-- Mary, MI

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