Active Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals for the most part governed by the impulse of passion. This is a truth well understood by our adversaries who have practised upon it with no small benefit to their cause. For at the very moment they are eulogizing the reason of men & professing to appeal only to that faculty, they are courting the strongest & most active passion of the human heart - VANITY!”
About This Quote
The passage argues that humans are driven more by passion than reason, and that vanity exploits this tendency.
In simple terms: Passion outweighs reason; vanity manipulates.
Key Takeaway
Beware of passion-driven decisions.
Themes
human nature
logic
vanity
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- public persuasion
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
politics
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can reason be reinforced in decision‑making?
- What safeguards limit vanity’s influence?
A Different Perspective
Reason can be overridden by strong emotions.
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