Alexander Hamilton Quotes

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

Man is either governed by his own laws – freedom – or the laws of another – slavery. Are you willing to become slaves? Will you give up your freedom, your life and your property without a single struggle? No man has a right to rule over his fellow creatures.

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

That experience is the parent of wisdom is an adage the truth of which is recognized by the wisest as well as the simplest of mankind.

Great Ambition, unchecked by principle, or the love of Glory, is an unruly Tyrant.

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

Americans rouse – be unanimous, be virtuous, be firm, exert your courage, trust in Heaven, and nobly defy the enemies both of God and man!

The people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort that I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.

One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are.

The loss of liberty to a generous mind is worse than death.

When a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense — to fight the government.

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

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