--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must take care always to keep…" description: "\"We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture.\" — George Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/george-washington-257_care_we-must-take-care-always-to-keep-ourselv_1543307.jpg" --- # We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable… ![“We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture.” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/george-washington-257_care_we-must-take-care-always-to-keep-ourselv_1543307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/george-washington-257_care_we-must-take-care-always-to-keep-ourselv_1543307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/george-washington-257_care_we-must-take-care-always-to-keep-ourselv_1543307.jpg) > “We must take care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture.” [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. We must maintain a respectable defensive stance through proper institutions to protect liberty. **In simple terms:** Maintain defense via strong institutions. Key Takeaway Support strong institutions. Themes politics defense governance Mood thoughtful serious Type prescriptive historical When to use this quote - government formation - national security - public policy Key Concepts institutional design civil liberties Questions to Reflect On - What institutions best safeguard liberty? - How can we balance defense with openness? 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