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From George Washington's farewell address

"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. . . . Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition. . .?"
-- George Washington, Farewell Address

Match each part of Washington's speech below with the correct paraphrase of his meaning

boxes:

"Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns...."

"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible"

"So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us help"

"Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition...?"

answers:
We should keep any promises we have already made, but we should not make any new ones

Although Europe is always picking fights to promote her own interests, it is not going to help us to get involved in those fights.

It is okay for us to trade with other countries, but we should stay out of their political conflicts

Does it make sense for us to risk our own well-being just because European countries are trying to build empires?

1 answer

Here are the matched parts of Washington's speech with the correct paraphrase of his meaning:

  1. "Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns...."

    • Paraphrase: Although Europe is always picking fights to promote her own interests, it is not going to help us to get involved in those fights.

  2. "The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."

    • Paraphrase: It is okay for us to trade with other countries, but we should stay out of their political conflicts.

  3. "So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop."

    • Paraphrase: We should keep any promises we have already made, but we should not make any new ones.

  4. "Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition...?"

    • Paraphrase: Does it make sense for us to risk our own well-being just because European countries are trying to build empires?