Washington's Farewell Address

“The great rule of conduct for us in regard for foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

As an important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoid the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions to discharge debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon [future generations] the burden, which we ourselves out to bear”