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
There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism. -Alexander Hamilton Nature
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 Government
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
Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion. -Alexander Hamilton Men
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
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 Power
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 Men
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 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 Nature
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
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 Government
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 Men
When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation. -Alexander Hamilton Men
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 Religion