--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a general principle of human…" description: "\"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 t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg" --- # It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will… ![“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...” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg) > “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](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. People value possessions more when they feel insecure about ownership, reflecting a bias toward what they fear losing. **In simple terms:** We cherish things we think we might lose. Key Takeaway Recognize and address insecurity about assets. Themes psychology ownership security bias human nature Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - investment decisions - relationship dynamics - career negotiations - personal finance Key Concepts behavioral economics social psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does perceived security affect your choices? - What can reduce fear of loss? 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The general principle is that everyone has the ability to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-j-zelinski/there-are-two-principles-for-creative-success-one-general-and-one/) [Ernie J Zelinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-j-zelinski/) > [All that I desire to point out is the general principle that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/all-that-i-desire-to-point-out-is-the-general-principle-that-life/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Amid the pressure of great events, a general principle gives no help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/amid-the-pressure-of-great-events-a-general-principle-gives-no-help/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [There is no reason why an extraphysical general principle is necessarily to be avoided, since such principles could conceivably serve as useful working hypotheses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/there-is-no-reason-why-an-extraphysical-general-principle-is/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [As a general principle, I should put it that a man's country is where the things he loves are most respected. Circumstances may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/as-a-general-principle-i-should-put-it-that-a-man-s-country-is-where/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [As a general principle, the American people would be well served by the active pursuit of effective policies to support longer-run growth in productivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/as-a-general-principle-the-american-people-would-be-well-served-by/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [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/) > [Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/hard-words-are-very-rarely-useful-real-firmness-is-good-for-every/) [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/) > [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/) > [ 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/) > [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/) ## 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. 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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": "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...", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Hamilton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Firmness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca8/alexander-hamilton-619_firmness_it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-natur_1249663.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in…” — Alexander Hamilton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Hamilton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is a general principle of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-general-principle-of-human-nature-that-a-man-will-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```