Quote
By George Washington
Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
- Source
- Farewell Address, September 19, 1796 · The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, pp. 703-722
- Read at
- Founders Online, National Archives
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About this quote
Washington's Farewell Address, dated September 19, 1796. The text here follows the Washington Papers' transcription, which keeps his abbreviations and spelling, so it differs slightly from the printed version. Earlier drafts were written by Madison in 1792 and Hamilton in 1796.