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Acquaintance Quote by George Washington

“A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment to friends; and that the most liberal professions of good-will are very far from being the surest marks of it” quote by George Washington
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“A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment to friends; and that the most liberal professions of good-will are very far from being the surest marks of it”

George Washington

About This Quote

Source Speech: Letter to a friend, 1790

True friendship is shown by deeds, not just kind words, and good intentions alone don't guarantee loyalty.

In simple terms: Friends are judged by actions, not promises.

Key Takeaway

Judge friendships by what people do.

Themes

friendship integrity action trust

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • business partnerships
  • teamwork
  • volunteering

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social contract

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you test a friend's loyalty?
  • Can good intentions ever replace real help?
A Different Perspective

Words can be misleading; actions may be limited by circumstance.

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