Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton

19 quotes

As an American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton earned a lasting place in the canon of memorable quotations. The range of their thinking — from Power to Nature — speaks to an intellectual restlessness that shows in every quote. Browse 22 quotes by Alexander Hamilton that cover ground from Power, Nature, Government, Politics, and Men. As Alexander Hamilton put it: "Real firmness is good for anything strut is good for nothing."

“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

Change

All Quotes by 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

Change

“In the main it will be found that a power over a man's support (salary) is a power over his will.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Power

“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

Politics

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Age

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Power

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Men

“In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Nature

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Nature

“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

Nature

“I think the first duty of society is justice.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Society

“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

Government

“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

Men

“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

God

“Real firmness is good for anything strut is good for nothing.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Good

“Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Government

“Learn to think continentally.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Education

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Work

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Government

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”

— Alexander Hamilton

Politics