Alexander Hamilton, born on January 11, 1755, in Charlestown, Nevis, and passing away tragically on July 12, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey, remains a towering figure in American history. His contributions as a Founding Father, the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and his influential role in drafting the Constitution have left an indelible mark on the fabric of the nation. Hamilton’s life, intertwined with figures like Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, his devoted wife, reflects a saga of ambition, intellect, and perpetual contribution to societal upliftment. This collection of 100 best quotes of Alexander Hamilton, derived from his extensive writings, speeches, and letters, offers a glimpse into the mind of a visionary who fervently believed in the power of words to inspire change and foster personal and collective growth.
Alexander Hamilton’s Quotes on Personal Virtues and Growth
Alexander Hamilton’s reflections on personal virtues and growth illuminate the path towards self-improvement and societal contribution. His beliefs in the importance of character, education, and ethics as foundations for a prosperous life resonate through his quotes, encouraging a pursuit of excellence and moral integrity.
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Character
“Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.”
“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.”
“I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man.”
“The first duty of society is justice.”
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Education
“Learn to think continentally.”
“The art of reading is to skip judiciously.”
“I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.”
“A well-adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.”
“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Knowledge
“Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.”
“Nobody expects to trust his body overmuch after the age of fifty.”
“Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal.”
“A promise must never be broken.”
“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Intelligence
“The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
“A powerful, victorious ally is yet another name for master.”
“Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government.”
“Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct.”
“The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Wisdom
“To be able to bear provocation is an argument of great wisdom, and to forgive it of a great mind.”
“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.”
“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”
“Power over a man’s subsistence is power over his will.”
“Good opinion is a species of property that a man must be economical of.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Virtue
“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 divinity itself; and can never be erased.”
“Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for everything. Strut is good for nothing.”
“When you stand for nothing, you fall for everything.”
“I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.”
“The best way to insure attention to your own rights is to be prompt in asserting the rights of others.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Ethics
“The first duty of society is justice.”
“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society.”
“A well-adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.”
“The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.”
“Those who do not stand for something will fall for anything.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Morality
“The practice of morality being necessary for the well-being of society, He has, in His supreme wisdom, attached to it a sanction as old as the world.”
“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.”
“A promise must never be broken.”
“To cherish and stimulate the activity of the human mind, by multiplying the objects of enterprise, is not among the least considerable of the expedients, by which the wealth of a nation may be promoted.”
“Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Courage
“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”
“The consciousness of being the first in your country to do something great and beneficial to its people, is a reward which, to a generous spirit, must be superior to all other considerations.”
“I would die to preserve the law upon a solid foundation; but take away liberty, and the foundation is destroyed.”
“A well-adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.”
“Perseverance in almost any plan is better than fickleness and fluctuation.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Hard Work
“Men give me some credit for genius. All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly.”
“The art of reading is to skip judiciously.”
“Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.”
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
“I never expect perfection in an imperfect world, but I do demand progress.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Excellence
“I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.”
“A promise must never be broken.”
“Power over a man’s subsistence amounts to power over his will.”
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
Alexander Hamilton’s Quotes on Interpersonal Relations and Inner Life
Alexander Hamilton understood the intricate dynamics of interpersonal relationships and the profound nature of the inner life. His observations and reflections on love, happiness, soul connections, empathy, trust, and friendship illuminate the essence of human interactions and the bedrock upon which meaningful relationships are built.
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Love
“Love, like death, changes everything.”
“The passions of a revolution are apt to hurry even good men into excesses.”
“Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished.”
“A heart filled with love is like a phoenix that no cage can imprison.”
“In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Happiness
“A fig for those by law protected! Liberty’s a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.”
“Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.”
“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.”
“Happiness is more effectively dispensed in a republic than in a monarchy.”
“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Soul
“The soul’s calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy is virtue’s prize.”
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
“The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, nor 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.”
“He who stands for nothing will fall for anything; the integrity of our intentions forms the soul of our actions.”
“Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Empathy
“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”
“The first duty of society is justice; empathy is the heart of understanding others and building a just society.”
“A nation’s greatness is measured not by its wealth or power, but by the compassion and kindness of its people.”
“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.”
“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 in fact. The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Trust
“Mutual confidence is the foundation of all satisfactory human relationships.”
“Without a firm basis in mutual trust, society itself cannot survive.”
“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”
“Every action of your life touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”
“When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Friendship
“A friend in power is a friend lost.”
“Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army superiority over another.”
“True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.”
“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.”
“I wish there was a treaty of friendship between all the world’s powers, as strong as the one between my closest friends and me.”
Alexander Hamilton’s Quotes on Societal Values and Governance
Hamilton’s vision extended beyond the individual, encompassing the broader spectrum of societal values and governance. His articulations on society, justice, democracy, the Constitution, leadership, politics, government, law, power, community, and cultural awareness provide a comprehensive view of his philosophy on governance and the principles upon which a just and prosperous society is built.
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Society
“The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.”
“The spirit of enterprise, which characterizes the commercial part of America, has left no occasion of displaying itself unimproved.”
“Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.”
“Society is a contract between the past, the present, and those yet unborn.”
“The vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Justice
“The first duty of society is justice.”
“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.”
“In the general course of human nature, A power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.”
“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 divinity itself; and can never be erased.”
“Where the laws cannot be executed, it is all one as if there were no laws.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Democracy
“A firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States, as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection.”
“It’s not tyranny we desire; it’s a just, limited, federal government.”
“Real liberty is neither found in despotism nor the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.”
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”
“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.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on the Constitution
“The Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give way to the Constitution.”
“A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing. It will be a powerful cement of our union.”
“The judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution; because it will be least in a capacity to annoy or injure them.”
“Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.”
“Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Community
“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 divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.”
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one.”
“Individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.”
“The prosperity of communities is dependent upon the virtue and morality of their members.”
“As on the one hand, the necessity for Union is a direct emanation of the dictate of the moral sense; so, on the other, it is no less the offspring of the dictates of reason and expediency.”
5 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes on Cultural Awareness
“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”
“A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.”
“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.”
“The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.”
“To cherish and stimulate the activity of the human mind, by multiplying the objects of enterprise, is not among the least considerable of the expedients, by which the wealth of a nation may be promoted.”
Final Words
Alexander Hamilton’s legacy is not just in the institutions he helped to found or the policies he enacted, but also in the breadth of his wisdom and the depth of his insights into human nature, governance, and societal values. His quotes encapsulate the essence of his intellect and his indomitable spirit, offering timeless guidance on personal growth, interpersonal relations, and the pillars of a strong, just society. As we reflect on these 100 quotes, we find not only a portrait of Hamilton himself but a blueprint for excellence, integrity, and civic responsibility that continues to inspire and challenge us to build a better world. Through 100 quotes of Alexander Hamilton and his words, steeped in the experiences of America’s early struggles and triumphs, remain a powerful beacon for those navigating the complexities of modern life and governance, reminding us of the enduring power of informed leadership and the unyielding pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
