Accumulation Quote by George Washington
“No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable. ... Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence (and) avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt ... not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to the Treasury Department, 1790
The most urgent financial priority is promptly paying off public debt, as delaying harms the economy and wastes time.
In simple terms: Pay off debt quickly to protect the economy.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize debt repayment.
Themes
finance
public policy
responsibility
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advisory
historical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- national debt management
- public finance
- economic planning
Key Concepts
fiscal discipline
intergenerational equity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern governments balance debt reduction with investment?
- What are the risks of excessive frugality?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring debt can cause long‑term fiscal instability.
