Washington's Farewell Address - "It is 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 not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim [principle] no less applicable to public than to private affairs that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But in my opinion it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them."

Question

What did Washington mean when he wrote that the principle "honesty is the best policy" should be applied to foreign relations?
• It's better to have secret agreements with other countries to protect American interests.
• There was no need to hide that the US intended to avoid permanent alliances in the future.
• He didn't want the United States to have any foreign relations or alliances at all.
• He thought that foreign relations should be focused solely on economic interests.

Answer 1

When Washington stated that the principle "honesty is the best policy" should be applied to foreign relations, he meant that it was important for the United States to be transparent about its intentions and commitments in international affairs. This aligns with the option:

There was no need to hide that the US intended to avoid permanent alliances in the future.

Washington emphasized the value of being straightforward in foreign relations while maintaining existing engagements, suggesting that clarity and honesty would serve the country's interests better than secretive or ambiguous dealings.