Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

33 Alexander Hamilton Quotes That Still Hold Significance

Famous As: American Revolutionary and Founding Father of the United States
Born On: 1755
Died On: 1804
Born In: Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Died At Age: 49
Alexander Hamilton was one of the ‘Founding Fathers' of the United States. He was a famous Economist and a Political Philosopher. During the revolutionary war he joined the ‘New York Provincial Artillery Company’ and bravely fought three wars. He even led a successful raid on the British cannon. He served as an advisor to General George, wrote letters to very influential people including the state governors and powerful generals. He exercised various prominent duties including intelligence, diplomacy and negotiation. He further pursued a career in law and turned out be one of the most prominent attorneys. He was actively involved in public and political matters and was one of the most trusted advisors for the executive class. He became the first person to be chosen as a delegate for the ‘Constitutional Convention’ from New York. Here he wrote numerous essays which convinced the masses to follow the constitution and was collectively called as ‘Federalist Papers’. He further went on to become the first US Secretary of the Treasury. We have collected quotes by Alexander Hamilton which will help you understand the significance of revolting against odds. Read on the inspiring quotes and thoughts by Alexander Hamilton which have been excerpted from his writings, letters, work, books and essays.
Listed In:
Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.

Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.

Alexander Hamilton
I never expect a perfect work from an imperfect man.

I never expect a perfect work from an imperfect man.

Alexander Hamilton
The constitution shall never be construed...to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.

The constitution shall never be construed...to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.

Alexander Hamilton
A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.

A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.

Alexander Hamilton
Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.

Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.

Alexander Hamilton
The art of reading is to skip judiciously.

The art of reading is to skip judiciously.

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.

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
A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.

A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.

Alexander Hamilton
A strong body makes the mind strong... I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.

A strong body makes the mind strong... I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.

Alexander Hamilton
Men are reasoning rather than reasonable animals.

Men are reasoning rather than reasonable animals.

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.

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
A powerful, victorious ally is yet another name for master.

A powerful, victorious ally is yet another name for master.

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.

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
Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.

Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.

Alexander Hamilton
Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.

Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.

Alexander Hamilton
The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.

The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.

Alexander Hamilton
If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible.

If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible.

Alexander Hamilton
To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.

To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.

Alexander Hamilton
The inquiry constantly is what will please, not what will benefit the people. In such a government there can be nothing but temporary expedient, fickleness, and folly.

The inquiry constantly is what will please, not what will benefit the people. In such a government there can be nothing but temporary expedient, fickleness, and folly.

Alexander Hamilton
Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.

Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.

Alexander Hamilton
I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.

I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.

Alexander Hamilton
It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood;

It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood;

Alexander Hamilton
All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. the first are the rich and well-born, the other the mass of the people

All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. the first are the rich and well-born, the other the mass of the people

Alexander Hamilton
For 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.

For 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
Divide et impera must be the motto of every nation that either hates or fears us.

Divide et impera must be the motto of every nation that either hates or fears us.

Alexander Hamilton
Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics the greatest number have begun their career, by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing Demagogues, and ending Tyrants.

Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics the greatest number have begun their career, by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing Demagogues, and ending Tyrants.

Alexander Hamilton
Dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government.

Dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government.

Alexander Hamilton
Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.

Alexander Hamilton
A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

Alexander Hamilton
But this is a thing more ardently to be wished than seriously to be expected.

But this is a thing more ardently to be wished than seriously to be expected.

Alexander Hamilton