"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it"

This quote by George Washington speaks with the importance of individual liberty and the dangers of overreaching federal government control. Washington is warning versus the propensity of governments to limit the freedoms of individuals out of fear that they may misuse them. He argues that it is unjust and ill-advised to take away a person's natural liberty on the assumption that they might abuse it. He thinks that individuals need to be trusted to use their freedom responsibly which governments should not be so quick to eliminate their rights. Washington's words are a suggestion of the value of protecting specific liberty and the requirement to be cautious of federal governments that look for to restrict it. His words are still relevant today, as federal governments continue to fight with the balance in between safeguarding specific rights and making sure public safety.