--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It may be laid down as a primary…" description: "\"It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government, owes not onl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/george-washington-257_accustomed_it-may-be-laid-down-as-a-primary-positio_3219384.jpg" --- # It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis… ![“It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America (with a few…” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/george-washington-257_accustomed_it-may-be-laid-down-as-a-primary-positio_3219384.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/george-washington-257_accustomed_it-may-be-laid-down-as-a-primary-positio_3219384.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/george-washington-257_accustomed_it-may-be-laid-down-as-a-primary-positio_3219384.jpg) > “It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total strength of the Country might be called forth at a Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency.” [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizens must be ready to defend their government, serving in militia from age 18‑50, with arms and training, so the nation can mobilize quickly in emergencies. **In simple terms:** Citizens should be prepared to defend their country through militia service. Key Takeaway Be ready to serve and train for defense. Themes civic duty military readiness national security Mood patriotic serious Type political historical When to use this quote - Emergency response - community defense - national mobilization Key Concepts Republicanism citizen militia defense preparedness Questions to Reflect On - How can modern societies balance civic duty with personal freedoms? - What incentives encourage militia participation? A Different Perspective Requires extensive training and resources; may burden individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Defence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defence/) [Free government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Militia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militia/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) [Short notice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-notice/) ## Related quotes > [It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-may-be-laid-down-as-a-primary-position-and-the-basis-of-our-system/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/firearms-stand-next-in-importance-to-the-constitution-itself/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-free-people-ought-not-only-to-be-armed-but-disciplined-to-which-end/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [At times, I feel I do better on short notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovince-saint-preux/at-times-i-feel-i-do-better-on-short-notice/) [Ovince Saint Preux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovince-saint-preux/) > [I like to have a lot of time to be able to format what I want to do, and how I'm going to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashad-evans/i-like-to-have-a-lot-of-time-to-be-able-to-format-what-i-want-to-do/) [Rashad Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashad-evans/) > [Romance at short notice was her speciality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-hugh-munro/romance-at-short-notice-was-her-speciality/) [Hector Hugh Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-hugh-munro/) > [Everyone knows that I have just accepted, with short notice, the worst job in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacinda-ardern/everyone-knows-that-i-have-just-accepted-with-short-notice-the-worst/) [Jacinda Ardern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacinda-ardern/) > [Do you think the UFC is going to owe you a favor when you step up on short notice when nobody else is doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/do-you-think-the-ufc-is-going-to-owe-you-a-favor-when-you-step-up-on/) [Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/) > [Everybody's one fight away from getting a title shot if they step in on short notice for somebody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/everybody-s-one-fight-away-from-getting-a-title-shot-if-they-step-in/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [Sometimes people ask me to do stuff in New York, like "Can you read at this thing?" 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