Alexander Hamilton Quotes

An avaricious man might be tempted to betray the interests of the state for the acquisition of wealth.No. 75

~ Alexander Hamilton

It has been frequently remarked, that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide, by their conduct and example, the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend, for their political constitutions, on accident and force.

~ Alexander Hamilton

When avarice takes the lead in a state, it is commonly the forerunner of its fall.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things

~ Alexander Hamilton

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Who talks most about freedom and equality? Is it not those who hold the bill of rights in one hand and a whip for affrighted slaves in the other?

~ Alexander Hamilton

When occasions present themselves in which the interests of the people are at variance with their inclinations, it is the duty of the persons whom they have appointed to be the guardians of those interests to withstand the temporary delusion in order to give them time and opportunity for more cool and sedate reflection. Instances might be cited in which a conduct of this kind has saved the people from very fatal consequences of their own mistakes, and has procured lasting monuments of their gratitude to the men who had courage and magnanimity enough to serve them at the peril of their displeasure.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Am I then more of an American than those who drew their first breath on American Ground?

~ Alexander Hamilton

The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of the people, and exciting their jealousies and apprehensions, to throw affairs into confusion, and bring on civil commotion.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Those then, who resist a confirmation of public order, are the true Artificers of monarchy—not that this is the intention of the generality of them. Yet it would not be difficult to lay the finger upon some of their party who may justly be suspected. When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the advantage of military habits—despotic in his ordinary demeanour—known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty—when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity—to join in the cry of danger to liberty—to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion—to flatter and fall in with all the non sense of the zealots of the day—It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may “ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.

~ Alexander Hamilton

There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism

~ Alexander Hamilton

Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others.

~ Alexander Hamilton

I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.

~ Alexander Hamilton

There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.

~ Alexander Hamilton

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.

~ Alexander Hamilton

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Nobody expects to trust his body overmuch after the age of fifty.

~ Alexander Hamilton

In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Power over a man's subsistence is power over his will.

~ Alexander Hamilton

The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and, however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true to fact. The people are turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right.

~ Alexander Hamilton

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

~ Alexander Hamilton

There are seasons in every country when noise and impudence pass current for worth; and in popular commotions especially, the clamors of interested and factious men are often mistaken for patriotism.

~ Alexander Hamilton

It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Unless your government is respectable, foreigners will invade your rights; and to maintain tranquillity, it must be respectable - even to observe neutrality, you must have a strong government.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Learn to think continentally.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.

~ Alexander Hamilton

When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.

~ Alexander Hamilton

I think the first duty of society is justice.

~ Alexander Hamilton