45 Best Alexander Hamilton Quotes That Still Resonate Today

Check out the best Alexander Hamilton quotes that reveal his sharp intellect, fearless leadership, and timeless wisdom on government, democracy, and the Constitution.

Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States, known for his brilliance in shaping the nation’s financial and political systems.

Born in the British West Indies, Hamilton rose from humble beginnings to become a respected statesman, military commander, and the first Secretary of the Treasury.

As the first Secretary, he was instrumental in establishing the U.S. financial system, including the creation of the national bank, a federal tax structure, and a strong economic foundation for the new republic.

Hamilton was also a key author of The Federalist Papers, which defended the U.S. Constitution and advocated for a strong central government.

Beyond politics, he was known for his persuasive writing, fierce debates, and unwavering dedication to public service.

His legacy lives on through his profound impact on American history and the award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton, which reintroduced his remarkable story to a new generation.

Here are the most famous Alexander Hamilton quotes that will inspire you to think boldly, lead with conviction, and stand up for your beliefs.

Top 10 Alexander Hamilton Quotes

1. “A promise must never be broken.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

2. “I think the first duty of society is justice.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

3. “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

4. “Power over a man’s subsistence is power over his will.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

5. “Great ambition unchecked by principle, is an unruly tyrant.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

6. “I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

7. “It’s not tyranny we desire; it’s a just, limited, federal government.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

8. “The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

9. “A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.” — Alexander Hamilton

   

10. “Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.” — Alexander Hamilton

Best Alexander Hamilton About Government And The Constitution

1. “The honor of a nation is its life.” — Alexander Hamilton
2. “Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.” — Alexander Hamilton
3. “Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.” — Alexander Hamilton
4. “You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent.” — Alexander Hamilton
5. “There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” — Alexander Hamilton
6. “Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.” — Alexander Hamilton
7. “The constitution shall never be construed…to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” — Alexander Hamilton
8. “Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.” — Alexander Hamilton
9. “The inquiry constantly is what will please, not what will benefit the people. In such a government there can be nothing but temporary expedient, fickleness, and folly.” — Alexander Hamilton
10. “Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.” — Alexander Hamilton
11. “Unless your government is respectable, foreigners will invade your rights; and to maintain tranquillity, it must be respectable – even to observe neutrality, you must have a strong government.” — Alexander Hamilton
12. “When a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense to fight the government.” — Alexander Hamilton
13. “There are seasons in every country when noise and impudence pass current for worth; and in popular commotions especially, the clamors of interested and factious men are often mistaken for patriotism.” — Alexander Hamilton
14. “In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” — Alexander Hamilton
15. “The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.” — Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton Quotes About Life, Freedom, And Liberty

1. “A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.” — Alexander Hamilton
2. “Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.” — Alexander Hamilton
3. “When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.” — Alexander Hamilton
4. “Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.” — Alexander Hamilton
5. “In the usual progress of things, the necessities of a nation in every stage of its existence will be found at least equal to its resources.” — Alexander Hamilton
6. “In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.” — Alexander Hamilton
7. “Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates.” — Alexander Hamilton
8. “To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.” — Alexander Hamilton
9. “Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others.” — Alexander Hamilton
10. “A struggle for liberty is in itself respectable and glorious…. When conducted with magnanimity, justice and humanity, it ought to command the admiration of every friend to human nature. But if sullied by crimes and extravagancies, it loses its respectability.” — Alexander Hamilton

Famous Quotes By Alexander Hamilton

1. “Learn to think continentally.” — Alexander Hamilton
2. “I’m just like my country. I’m young, scrappy, and hungry.” — Alexander Hamilton
3. “Nobody expects to trust his body overmuch after the age of fifty.” — Alexander Hamilton
4. “A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.” — Alexander Hamilton
5. “People sometimes attribute my success to my genius; all the genius I know anything about is hard work.” — Alexander Hamilton
6. “Nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties.” — Alexander Hamilton
7. “I may not live to see our glory. But I will gladly join the fight. And when our children tell our story, they’ll tell the story of tonight.” — Alexander Hamilton
8. “We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is never found in despotism or the extremes of democracy. but in moderate governments.” — Alexander Hamilton
9. “America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me. You let me make a difference. A place where even orphan immigrants can leave their fingerprints and rise up.” — Alexander Hamilton
10. “The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and, however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true to fact. The people are turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right.” — Alexander Hamilton

Conclusion

What are your favorite Alexander Hamilton quotes and phrases (with images and posters) listed above? If there is a quote that we’ve missed then let us know in the comments section below.

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