George Washington's Farewell Address (1796): Farewell Address by George Washington, List 5

After serving two terms as President of the United States, George Washington decided in 1796 that he would not seek a third term. In his speech, the father of his country explained why it was time for him to retire and gave advice to the nation.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. repose
    be inherent or innate in
    The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
  2. disposition
    an attitude of mind that favors one alternative over others
    The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
  3. foment
    try to stir up
    It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.
  4. insurrection
    organized opposition to authority
    It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.
  5. indulgence
    the act of gratifying a desire
    This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party.
  6. salutary
    tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
    From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose.
  7. mitigate
    make less severe or harsh
    And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it.
  8. assuage
    provide physical relief, as from pain
    And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it.
  9. predominate
    be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
    A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.
  10. evince
    give expression to
    The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositaries, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes.
  11. usurpation
    wrongfully seizing and holding by force
    But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
  12. transient
    lasting a very short time
    The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit, which the use can at any time yield.
  13. indulge
    yield to; give satisfaction to
    Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.
  14. magnanimous
    generous and understanding and tolerant
    Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it - It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
  15. exalted
    of high moral or intellectual value
    Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it - It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
Created on Tue Jun 03 14:43:12 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Jun 03 14:47:22 EDT 2025)

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