The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Political parties create division, weaken governance, and stir up conflict among citizens, so wise people should limit their influence.
- In plain terms
- Party spirit harms unity and government function, so it should be restrained.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid excessive partisanship to protect public welfare.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much division is too much in politics?
- Can we govern without parties?
Another view
Some argue parties are necessary for organized political action.
More from George Washington
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries ha…
Permalink to quote #57 Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the trib…
Permalink to quote #59 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me n…
Permalink to quote #56
Related quotes
Parties are instruments of government....The business of parties is not just win elections. It is to govern. And a party cannot govern if it is disunited. (Kin…
Robert KennedyRobert Kennedy quote #59 Parties are instruments of government....The business of parties is not just win elections. It is to govern. And a party cannot govern if it is disunited. (Kin…
Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #59 We be informed by our judges that we at no time stand so highly in our estate royal as in the time of Parliament, wherein we as head and you as members are con…
Henry VIII of EnglandHenry VIII of England quote #2