20 Unheeded Warnings in Washington’s Farewell Address

President George Washington

Be vigilant, people will seek to use the government for selfish ends.

Avoid overgrown military establishments; they are hostile to liberty.

Prevent all obstructions to the execution of the laws.

Control bureaucracies; make sure they all work together.

Avoid political parties; they will cause divisive factions and unscrupulous men will use them to undermine the government.

Give allegiance to the Constitution; improve it as necessary.

Do not alter the Constitution lightly, or based on hypothesis; apply the experience applied when it was created.

Be suspicious of administrators; they may serve themselves rather than the people.

Watch for consolidation of power in any department of government.

Preserve existing checks and balances and add more where power needs to be checked.

Religion and morality are essential to create the virtue necessary to preserve the union.

Promote widespread education; democracy requires literate citizens that understand the system of governance and take responsibility for themselves.

Avoid debt; and immediately discharge any debt created by war.

Taxes are unpleasant; government spending should be candidly conducted.

Cultivate peace and justice toward all nations.

Avoid alliances and maintain neutrality among nations.

Avoid dependency; a weak state that allies with a stronger state will become its servant.

Real patriots will resist intrigues, while dupes will surrender to interests.

In trade, give no nation a favored nation status.

Be guided by principles, not interests.