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About this quote

What does it mean?
Washington advocates for peaceful and open relations with all countries based on mutual benefit and ethics.
In plain terms
Be friendly with all nations for safety and moral reasons.
What can you take from it?
Open diplomacy serves both national interest and humanity.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • treaty negotiation
  • global trade

Putting it to work

  • foster open dialogue
  • avoid unnecessary entanglements

Questions to consider

  • Can peace exist without alliances?
  • What binds nations together?

Another view

Neutrality can sometimes enable aggression by indifferent powers.

More from George Washington

  1. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation.

    Permalink to quote #69
  2. In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could w…

    Permalink to quote #71
  3. 'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me…

    Permalink to quote #68

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