Human nature Quotes by Alexander Hamilton

Necessity, especially in politics, often occasions false hopes, false reasonings, and a system of measures, correspondingly erroneous.

— Alexander Hamilton

To presume a want of motives for such contests . . . would be to forget that men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.

— Alexander Hamilton

Common interest may always be reckoned upon as the surest bond of sympathy.

— Alexander Hamilton

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

— Alexander Hamilton

Take mankind as they are, and what are they governed by? Their passions.

— Alexander Hamilton

Ambition without principle never was long under the guidance of good sense.

— Alexander Hamilton

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

— Alexander Hamilton

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

— Alexander Hamilton

There may be in every government a few choice spirits, who may act from more worthy motives. One great error is that…

— Alexander Hamilton

A struggle for liberty is in itself respectable and glorious. . . . When conducted with magnanimity, justice and humanity, it ought…

— Alexander Hamilton

When men, engaged in unjustifiable pursuits, are aware that obstructions may come from a quarter which bare apprehension of opposition from doing…

— Alexander Hamilton

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with…

— Alexander Hamilton

It is astonishing that so simple a truth should ever have had an adversary; and it is one among a multitude of…

— Alexander Hamilton

A LAW, by the very meaning of the term, includes supremacy. It is a rule which those to whom it is prescribed…

— Alexander Hamilton

It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head,…

— Alexander Hamilton

To look for a continuation in harmony between a number of independent unconnected sovereignties, situated in the same neighborhood, would be to…

— Alexander Hamilton

The history of human conduct does not warrant that exalted opinion of human virtue which would make it wise in a nation…

— Alexander Hamilton

Man is very much a creature of habit. A thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but little influence upon…

— Alexander Hamilton

It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the…

— Alexander Hamilton

The experience of treaties being broken with impunity provide an afflicting lesson to mankind how little dependence is to be placed on…

— Alexander Hamilton

The constitution of human nature" teaches us not to expect "that the persons, entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the…

— Alexander Hamilton

As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as…

— Alexander Hamilton

This position will not be disputed, so long as it is admitted that the desire of reward is one of the strongest…

— Alexander Hamilton

Would there not be the greatest reason to apprehend, that error in the first sentence would be the parent of error in…

— Alexander Hamilton

Take mankind in general, they are vicious-their passions may be operated upon.

— Alexander Hamilton

A fondness for power is implanted in most men, and it is natural to abuse it when acquired.

— Alexander Hamilton

Those who have a tolerable knowledge of human nature will not stand in need of such lights.

— Alexander Hamilton

The obscurity is much oftener in the passions and prejudices of the reasoner than in the subject.

— Alexander Hamilton

To model our political system upon speculations of lasting tranquility, is to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character.

— Alexander Hamilton

These are not vague inferences . . . but they are solid conclusions drawn from the natural and necessary progress of human affairs.

— Alexander Hamilton

Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.

— Alexander Hamilton

In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

— Alexander Hamilton

The obscurity is more often in the passions and prejudices of the reasoner than in the subject.

— Alexander Hamilton

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

— Alexander Hamilton

The propriety of a law, in a constitutional light, must always be determined by the nature of the powers upon which it…

— Alexander Hamilton

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

— Alexander Hamilton

It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the…

— Alexander Hamilton

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with…

— Alexander Hamilton

Has it not. . . invariably been found that momentary passions, and immediate interests, have a more active and imperious control over…

— Alexander Hamilton

The same state of the passions which fits the multitude, who have not a sufficient stock of reason and knowledge to guide…

— Alexander Hamilton