“habitual hatred or a habitual fondness” turns a nation into “a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.”That's not to say that a nation should lead other nations on, then disappoint them, only that it should think carefully about what it commits to. In other words, exhibit a little impulse control.
Alliances as a means, not an end
Loyalty and faithfulness to commitments are good things, but nations aren't people. George Washington warned us that
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Washington is arguing for a kind of national-level version of the ad hominem cognitive bias. Interesting, to me, is his argument that this can also apply to positive as well as negative bases.
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