“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.”

Nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority.

A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

When avarice takes the lead in a state, it is commonly the forerunner of its fall.

Caution and investigation are a necessary armor against error and imposition.

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.

Government implies the power of making laws. It is essential to the idea of a law, that it be attended with a sanction; or, in other words, a penalty or punishment for disobedience.

The honor of a nation is its life.

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.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct.

We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.

I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.

There are approximately 1,010,300 words in the English language, but I could never string enough words together to properly express how much I want to hit you with a chair. (Alexander Hamilton, to Thomas Jefferson)

Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.

A strong body makes the mind strong, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.

If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible.

The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.

The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.

How do you compete against a true fanatic? You can only try to build the best possible moat and continuously attempt to widen it.

Sleep is the best cure for waking troubles.

I think the best day will be when we no longer talk about being gay or straight. It’s not a gay wedding, it’s just a wedding. It’s not a gay marriage, it’s just a marriage.

I believe that one of the best ways of getting at truth is reflecting with others who have opposing views and who share your interest in finding the truth rather than being proven right

Make the best of every moment. We’re not evolving. We’re not going anywhere.

If America is the pursuit of happiness, the best way to pursue happiness is to help other people.

The best way to get something good out of what you’re doing is to put something good into it.