--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hard words are very rarely useful. Real…" description: "\"Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.\" — Alexander Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_hard-words-are-very-rarely-useful-real-f_1396920.jpg" --- # Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good… ![“Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_hard-words-are-very-rarely-useful-real-f_1396920.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_hard-words-are-very-rarely-useful-real-f_1396920.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_hard-words-are-very-rarely-useful-real-f_1396920.jpg) > “Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.” [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hard words are rarely useful; firmness and action matter more than empty talk. **In simple terms:** Action beats empty words. Key Takeaway Act decisively and speak purposefully. Themes leadership communication integrity Mood assertive thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - political debates - team meetings - personal decisions Key Concepts political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - When is flexibility more valuable than firmness? - How can you balance firmness with empathy? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on firmness can ignore nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Firmness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firmness/) [Firmness Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firmness-good-4726123/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Firmness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-firmness-4726125/) [Strut Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strut-good-4726124/) [Thing Strut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-strut-4884611/) ## Related quotes > [Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/real-firmness-is-good-for-anything-strut-is-good-for-nothing/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“ Real firmness is good for every thing— Strut is good for nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/real-firmness-is-good-for-every-thing-strut-is-good-for-nothing/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the firmness or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be-2/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Good constitutions are formed upon a comparison of the liberty of the individual with the strength of government: If the tone of either be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/good-constitutions-are-formed-upon-a-comparison-of-the-liberty-of-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The vigour of government is essential to the security of liberty. . . . a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-vigour-of-government-is-essential-to-the-security-of-liberty-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the firmness or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [ It is by far the safer course to lay \[considerations of the future\] altogether aside; and to confine our attention wholly to the nature… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-by-far-the-safer-course-to-lay-considerations-of-the-future/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The grave, dread thing! Men shiver when thou'rt named: Nature appalled, Shakes off her wonted firmness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-blair/the-grave-dread-thing-men-shiver-when-thou-rt-named-nature-appalled/) [Robert Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-blair/) > [When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-we-see-ourselves-in-a-situation-which-must-be-endured-and-gone/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The door of conciliation and compromise is finally closed by our adversaries, and it remains only to us to meet the conflict with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/the-door-of-conciliation-and-compromise-is-finally-closed-by-our/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [“Develop flexibility and you will be firm; cultivate yielding and you will be strong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liezi/develop-flexibility-and-you-will-be-firm-cultivate-yielding-and-you/) [Liezi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liezi/) > [In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/in-respect-to-foresight-and-firmness-the-people-are-more-prudent-more/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Confide not in the firmness of your principles, or the steadfastness of your integrity. Be always vigilant and fearful. Never think you have enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-brockden-brown/confide-not-in-the-firmness-of-your-principles-or-the-steadfastness/) [Charles Brockden Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brockden-brown/) > [Wisdom teaches us to do, as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a colour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/wisdom-teaches-us-to-do-as-well-as-to-talk-and-to-make-our-words-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Parents should have perfect control over their own spirits, and with mildness and yet firmness bend the will of the child until it shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/parents-should-have-perfect-control-over-their-own-spirits-and-with/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) ## More by Alexander Hamilton > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-truth-unquestionably-is-that-the-only-path-to-a-subversion-of-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [ \[W\]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitution-not-of-executive-but-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-will-be-of-little-avail-to-the-people-that-the-laws-are-made-by/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/though-a-wide-ocean-separates-the-united-states-from-europe-yet-there/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is an unquestionable truth, that the body of the people in every country desire sincerely its prosperity. But it is equally unquestionable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-an-unquestionable-truth-that-the-body-of-the-people-in-every/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [ It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another \[for the Executive\] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the-laws-and-another-for-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Man is very much a creature of habit. A thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but little influence upon his mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/man-is-very-much-a-creature-of-habit-a-thing-that-rarely-strikes-his/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Money is, with propriety, considered as the vital principle of the body politic; as that which sustains its life and motion, and enables it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/money-is-with-propriety-considered-as-the-vital-principle-of-the-body/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is a well-known fact that in countries in which the national debt is properly funded, and an object of established confidence, it answers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-well-known-fact-that-in-countries-in-which-the-national-debt/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [A government, the constitution of which renders it unfit to be trusted with all the powers which a free people ought to delegate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-government-the-constitution-of-which-renders-it-unfit-to-be-trusted/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-liberty-of-the-press-consists-in-the-right-to-publish-with/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/you-should-not-have-taken-advantage-of-my-sensibility-to-steal-into/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) [Explore all 443 Alexander Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## More Firmness quotes > [Parents should have perfect control over their own spirits, and with mildness and yet firmness bend the will of the child until it shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/parents-should-have-perfect-control-over-their-own-spirits-and-with/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) > [Wisdom teaches us to do, as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a colour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/wisdom-teaches-us-to-do-as-well-as-to-talk-and-to-make-our-words-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Confide not in the firmness of your principles, or the steadfastness of your integrity. Be always vigilant and fearful. Never think you have enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-brockden-brown/confide-not-in-the-firmness-of-your-principles-or-the-steadfastness/) [Charles Brockden Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brockden-brown/) > [In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/in-respect-to-foresight-and-firmness-the-people-are-more-prudent-more/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Develop flexibility and you will be firm; cultivate yielding and you will be strong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liezi/develop-flexibility-and-you-will-be-firm-cultivate-yielding-and-you/) [Liezi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liezi/) > [The door of conciliation and compromise is finally closed by our adversaries, and it remains only to us to meet the conflict with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/the-door-of-conciliation-and-compromise-is-finally-closed-by-our/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-we-see-ourselves-in-a-situation-which-must-be-endured-and-gone/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The grave, dread thing! Men shiver when thou'rt named: Nature appalled, Shakes off her wonted firmness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-blair/the-grave-dread-thing-men-shiver-when-thou-rt-named-nature-appalled/) [Robert Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-blair/) > [Nothing can be more touching than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/nothing-can-be-more-touching-than-to-behold-a-soft-and-tender-female/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [A wise man who stands firm is a statesman, a foolish man who stands firm is a catastrophe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-wise-man-who-stands-firm-is-a-statesman-a-foolish-man-who-stands/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God know that a mother need fortitude and courage and tolerance and flexibility and patience and firmness and nearly every other brave aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-mcginley/god-know-that-a-mother-need-fortitude-and-courage-and-tolerance-and/) [Phyllis McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-mcginley/) > [ I'm glad \[Ornette Coleman\] is such an individualist. I like the firmness of thought and purpose that goes into what he's doing, even though… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-desmond/i-m-glad-ornette-coleman-is-such-an-individualist-i-like-the-firmness/) [Paul Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-desmond/) > [I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-hope-i-shall-possess-firmness-and-virtue-enough-to-maintain-what-i/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Victory comes through firm resolution and determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imam-ali/victory-comes-through-firm-resolution-and-determination/) [Imam Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imam-ali/) > [Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it, genius wastes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/firmness-of-purpose-is-one-of-the-most-necessary-sinews-of-character/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 173 Firmness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firmness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. 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