"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master"

George Washington's quote is an alerting about the power of federal government. He is stating that government is not a reasonable or convincing force, but rather a powerful one. He compares federal government to fire, which can be a beneficial servant when utilized properly, but a dangerous master when not controlled. He is warning us to be familiar with the potential for federal government to become overbearing and to utilize its power responsibly. Washington's words are a suggestion that federal government ought to be used to safeguard the rights of citizens, not to oppress them. He is urging us to be alert in our efforts to guarantee that government stays a servant of individuals, not a master over them.