I rewrote George Washington’s farewell address in modern American English at a 4th grade reading level.
The original is one of my favorite pieces of political philosophy to refer to but it is a bit abstruse and archaic in loquacious verbiage that many a man and woman hath not practiced their letters sufficiently to penetrate the ornamentation of colonial elocution.
Hi friends,
Soon, you will vote for the next President of the United States. I want to tell you something important: I am not going to run again. It’s time for someone else to take the job.
Please know this isn’t because I don’t care. I love this country very much. I worked hard for you, even when it was tough. I didn’t always think I was the best person for the job, but I tried my best because I believed it was my duty.
Now things are more peaceful, inside our country and outside it. So I feel okay stepping away. I am ready to go home and rest because I am old and tired, and I have done my part.
Thank you for trusting me and helping me. Anything good that happened came from all of us working together. I will always be grateful for your support.
Before I go, I want to give you some advice, because I care about you and our future:
1. Stay united.
We are one country. Don’t let people split us into angry groups, like North vs. South, East vs. West. We are stronger together.
2. Be careful with political parties.
Parties can make people fight and stop working for the common good. They can make us angry at each other instead of solving problems.
3. Follow the Constitution.
Our rules matter. If we need to change them, do it the right way — not by ignoring the rules.
4. Keep learning.
A free country needs smart citizens. Education is important.
5. Don’t go into big debt.
Pay what you owe. Don’t make later generations clean up your mess. Avoid wars when you can, because they cost a lot.
6. Be fair to other countries.
Don’t hate countries for no reason and don’t love them too much either. Make friends, trade, but don’t get dragged into other countries’ fights.
7. Keep good morals.
Being honest and doing the right thing helps everyone. Freedom needs good people to survive.
I hope you will remember these things. I tried my best to do what was right. Now I go home happy, because I served my country with all my heart.
Thank you for everything.
George Washington