George Washington's Farewell Address (1796): Farewell Address by George Washington, List 6

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. benevolence
    disposition to do good
    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.
  2. inveterate
    habitual
    In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.
  3. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
    In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.
  4. amicable
    characterized by friendship and good will
    In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.
  5. astray
    away from the right path or direction
    It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.
  6. dispose
    make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude
    Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.
  7. umbrage
    a feeling of anger caused by being offended
    Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.
  8. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.
  9. intractable
    difficult to manage or mold
    Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.
  10. trifling
    not worth considering
    Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.
  11. obstinate
    stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
    Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests.
  12. propensity
    a disposition to behave in a certain way
    The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives.
  13. subservient
    willing to degrade or demean oneself to please others
    The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives.
  14. pernicious
    exceedingly harmful
    The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives.
  15. infuse
    fill, as with a certain quality
    Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.
Created on Tue Jun 03 14:46:15 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Jun 03 14:47:44 EDT 2025)

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