--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The practice of arbitrary imprisonments…" description: "\"The practice of arbitrary imprisonments have been, in all ages, the favorite and most formidable instruments of tyranny.\" — Alexander Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f6/alexander-hamilton-619_age_the-practice-of-arbitrary-imprisonments_662561.jpg" --- # The practice of arbitrary imprisonments have been, in all… ![“The practice of arbitrary imprisonments have been, in all ages, the favorite and most formidable instruments of tyranny.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f6/alexander-hamilton-619_age_the-practice-of-arbitrary-imprisonments_662561.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f6/alexander-hamilton-619_age_the-practice-of-arbitrary-imprisonments_662561.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f6/alexander-hamilton-619_age_the-practice-of-arbitrary-imprisonments_662561.jpg) > “The practice of arbitrary imprisonments have been, in all ages, the favorite and most formidable instruments of tyranny.” [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. Tyranny often uses imprisonment without cause to suppress dissent and control populations. **In simple terms:** Imprisonment can be a tool of oppression. Key Takeaway Guard against arbitrary detention. Themes freedom justice power law Mood cautionary serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legal reform - civil rights activism - policy advocacy Key Concepts Political theory human rights state power Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards protect against misuse of imprisonment? - How can citizens hold governments accountable? A Different Perspective Legal systems can be slow to change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Imprisonment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imprisonment/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) ## Related quotes > [The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-means-of-defense-against-foreign-danger-historically-have-become/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [No tyranny is more cruel than the one practised in the shadow of the laws and under color of justice - when, so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/no-tyranny-is-more-cruel-than-the-one-practised-in-the-shadow-of-the/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/tyrants-are-seldom-free-the-cares-and-the-instruments-of-their/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [The superiority...enjoyed by nations that have...perfected a branch of industry, constitutes a...formidable obstacle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-superiority-enjoyed-by-nations-that-have-perfected-a-branch-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [...that standing army can never be formidable (threatening) to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/that-standing-army-can-never-be-formidable-threatening-to-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“The growth of his power and fame was matched, in my imagination, by the degree of the punishment I would have liked to inflict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nabokov-i-tyrants-destroyed-i/the-growth-of-his-power-and-fame-was-matched-in-my-imagination-by-the/) Nabokov i Tyrants Destroyed i > [“An insincere individual would feel afraid to admit the truth because he or she wants to avoid facing the consequences with a guilty conscious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saaif-alam/an-insincere-individual-would-feel-afraid-to-admit-the-truth-because/) [Saaif Alam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saaif-alam/) > [“To subdue and crush the masses of a nation by military force, when all are unanimous in the determination to be free, is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dalrymple/to-subdue-and-crush-the-masses-of-a-nation-by-military-force-when-all/) [William Dalrymple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dalrymple/) > [So I departed and was free from imprisonment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-i-departed-and-was-free-from-imprisonment/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When you fear nothing, you have nothing to fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-f-chandler/when-you-fear-nothing-you-have-nothing-to-fear/) S.F. 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