I propose . . . . The conformity of the proposed Constitution to the true principles of republican government. Alexander Hamilton More Quotes by Alexander Hamilton More Quotes From Alexander Hamilton Ambition without principle never was long under the guidance of good sense. Alexander Hamilton principlesambitionlong The honor of a nation is its life. Deliberately to abandon it is to commit an act of political suicide. Alexander Hamilton politicalsuicidehonor It is the Press which has corrupted our political morals - and it is to the Press we must look for the means of our political regeneration. Alexander Hamilton politicalmeanlooks Learn to think continentally. Alexander Hamilton politicaleducationthinking As riches increase and accumulate in few hands . . . the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican standard. Alexander Hamilton richespoliticalhands It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false than this. The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure deformity. Alexander Hamilton democracies-havegovernmentcharacter 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. Alexander Hamilton powerrightshands 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 freedomgovernmentreal Our countrymen have all the folly of the ass and all the passiveness of the sheep. Alexander Hamilton assrevolutionsheep This process of election affords a moral certainty that the office of President will seldom fall to the lot of any many who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Alexander Hamilton officepresidentfall The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed. Alexander Hamilton gunrightspeople I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man. Alexander Hamilton patrioticchristianmen When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation. Alexander Hamilton moderationpassionmen The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision. Alexander Hamilton decisionjudgingpeople Remember civil and religious liberty always go together: if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall of course. Alexander Hamilton libertyreligiousfall Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing. Alexander Hamilton hard-wordsfirmnessreal The republican principle demands that the deliberate sense of the community should govern the conduct of those to whom they intrust the management of their affairs; but it does not require an unqualified complaisance to every sudden breeze of passion or to every transient impulse which the people may receive from the arts of men, who flatter their prejudices to betray their interests. Alexander Hamilton passionmenart We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided. Alexander Hamilton adaptabilityadaptationadversity It is of the greatest consequence that the debt should, with the consent of the creditors, be remoulded into such a shape as will bring the expenditure of the nation to a level with its income. Till this shall be accomplished, the finances of the United States will never wear a proper countenance. Arrears of interest, continually accruing, will be as continual a monument, either of inability, or of ill faith and will not cease to have an evil influence on public credit. Alexander Hamilton inabilityunited-statesevil I would die to preserve the law upon a solid foundation; but take away liberty, and the foundation is destroyed. Alexander Hamilton foundationlibertylaw