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About this quote

What does it mean?
Address genuine grievances promptly or acknowledge them; otherwise, use force against those without valid claims.
In plain terms
Fix real complaints or admit you can’t, and act forcefully against baseless ones.
What can you take from it?
Respond fairly to complaints, using force only when justified.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • conflict resolution
  • law enforcement

Putting it to work

  • investigate claims
  • communicate limitations

Questions to consider

  • What safeguards prevent misuse of force?
  • How to differentiate real vs. false grievances?

Another view

Force can be abused even with good intentions.

More from George Washington

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  2. It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no o…

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  3. A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.

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