Top 25 Quotes by Alexander Hamilton of 385 - Page 11

The laws of certain states . . . give an ownership in the service of Negroes as personal property . . . . But being men, by the laws of God and nature, they were capable of acquiring liberty - and when the captor in war

The laws of certain states . . . give an ownership in the service of Negroes as personal property . . . . But being men, by the laws of God and nature, they were capable of acquiring liberty - and when the captor in war . . . thought fit to give them liberty, the gift was not only valid, but irrevocable.

Alexander Hamilton

War, Men, Law

"Papers of Alexander Hamilton". Book by Alexander Hamilton, November 22, 1961.

I will venture to assert that no combination of designing men under heaven will be capable of making a government unpopular which is in its principles a wise and good one, and vigorous in its operations.

Alexander Hamilton

Wise, Men, Design

Alexander Hamilton, John Church Hamilton (1850). “The Works of Alexander Hamilton: Miscellanies, 1774-1789: A full vindication; The farmer refuted; Quebec bill; Resolutions in Congress; Letters from Phocion; New-York Legislature, etc”, p.444

The attributes of sovereignty are now enjoyed by every state in the Union.

Alexander Hamilton

Independence, Unions, States

There is a contagion in example which few men have sufficient force of mind to resist.

Alexander Hamilton

Men, Mind, Example

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.78, Rowman & Littlefield

It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the firmness or precariousness of the tenure by which he holds it.

Alexander Hamilton

Men, Principles, Human Nature

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the new constitution, written in 1788, with an appendix, containing the letters of Pacificus and Helvidius on the proclamation of neutrality of 1793, also the original articles of confederation and the constitution of the United States”, p.328

The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.

Alexander Hamilton

Law, Two, People

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.145, Rowman & Littlefield

If it be said that the legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon them is conclusive upon the other departments, it may be answered, that this cannot be the natural presumption, where it is not be collected from any particular provisions in the Constitution.

Alexander Hamilton

Judging, May, Body

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.145, Rowman & Littlefield

The experience of treaties being broken with impunity provide an afflicting lesson to mankind how little dependence is to be placed on treaties which have no other sanction than the obligations of good faith; and which oppose general considerations of peace and justice to the impulse of any immediate interest and passion.

Alexander Hamilton

Passion, Broken, Justice

The principal purposes to be answered by union are these the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external attacks; the regulation of commerce with other nations and between the States; the superintendence of our intercourse, political and commercial, with foreign countries.

Alexander Hamilton

Country, Political, Unions

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.111, Coventry House Publishing

There is one transcendant advantage belonging to the province of the State governments . . . -I mean the ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice.

Alexander Hamilton

Mean, Government, Justice

The natural effect of low interest is to increase trade and industry; because undertakings of every kind can be prosecuted with greater advantage.

Alexander Hamilton

Kind, Natural, Increase

United States. Dept. of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton (1828). “Reports of the secretary of the Treasury of the United States”, p.76

The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office of the judicial magistracy is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government.

Alexander Hamilton

Government, Practice, Office

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788”, p.355

There are men who could neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of their duty; but this stern virtue is the growth of few soils: And in the main it will be found, that a power over a man's support is a power over his will.

Alexander Hamilton

Sacrifice, Men, Support

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1831). “The Federalist on the New Constitution”, p.364

The experience of past ages may inform us, that when the circumstances of a people render them distressed, their rulers generally recur to severe, cruel, and oppressive measures. Instead of endeavoring to establish their authority in the affection of their subjects, they think they have no security but in their fear.

Alexander Hamilton

Past, Thinking, People

Alexander Hamilton, John Church Hamilton (1850). “The Works of Alexander Hamilton: Miscellanies, 1774-1789: A full vindication; The farmer refuted; Quebec bill; Resolutions in Congress; Letters from Phocion; New-York Legislature, etc”, p.50

The legislatures will have better means of information. They can discover the danger at a distance; and possessing all the organs of civil power, and the confidence of the people, they can at once adopt a regular plan of opposition, in which they can combine all the resources of the community. They can readily communicate with each other in the different States, and unite their common forces for the protection of their common liberty.

Alexander Hamilton

Distance, Mean, People

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2015). “The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution”, p.135, Coventry House Publishing

The only distinction between freedom and slavery consists in this: In the former state a man is governed by the laws to which he has given his consent, either in person or by his representative; in the latter, he is governed by the will of another. In the one case, his life and property are his own; in the other, they depend upon the pleasure of his master. It is easy to discern which of these two states is preferable.

Alexander Hamilton

Men, Law, Two

Alexander Hamilton (1842). “The Official and Other Papers ...”, p.12

The [president] has no particle of spiritual jurisdiction. . . .

Alexander Hamilton

Spiritual, Church, President

In testimony of their Respect For The Patriot of incorruptible Integrity, The Soldier of approved Valour The Statesman of consummate Wisdom; Whose Talents and Virtues will be admired By Grateful Posterity Long after this Marble shall have mouldered into Dust.

Alexander Hamilton

Wisdom, Integrity, Tombstone

[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War.

Alexander Hamilton

War, Choices, Olive Branches

Alexander Hamilton, Harold Coffin Syrett, Jacob Ernest Cooke (1969). “Papers: Harold C. Syrett, Editor; Jacob E. Cooke, Associate Editor”

The citizens of America have too much discernment to be argued into anarchy. And I am much mistaken, if experience has not wrought a deep and solemn conviction in the public mind, that greater energy of government is essential to the welfare and prosperity of the community

Alexander Hamilton

America, Government, Community

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (2014). “The Federalist Papers”, p.121, Courier Corporation

They are not rules prescribed by the sovereign to the subject, but agreements between sovereign and sovereign.

Alexander Hamilton

Agreement, Sovereign, Foreign Policy

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (1852). “The Federalist, on the new constitution, written in 1788, with an appendix, containing the letters of Pacificus and Helvidius on the proclamation of neutrality of 1793, also the original articles of confederation and the constitution of the United States”, p.438

Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.

Alexander Hamilton

Agriculture, Wealth, Prosperity

Alexander Hamilton (1851). “The works of Alexander Hamilton: comprising his correspondence, and his political and official writings, exclusive of the federalist, civil and military”, p.237

In the usual progress of things, the necessities of a nation in every stage of its existence will be found at least equal to its resources.

Alexander Hamilton

Progress, Usual, Resources

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Quentin P. Taylor, John Jay (1998). “The Essential Federalist: A New Reading of the Federalist Papers”, p.59, Rowman & Littlefield

The passions of a revolution are apt to hurry even good men into excesses.

Alexander Hamilton

Passion, Men, Good Man

Alexander Hamilton (1973). “Papers”

The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state, for the protection of its rights and interests: and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce among individuals. Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.

Alexander Hamilton

Rights, Agriculture, Giving

Alexander Hamilton (1851). “The works of Alexander Hamilton: comprising his correspondence, and his political and official writings, exclusive of the federalist, civil and military”, p.237

Alexander Hamilton Quotes - Page 11

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