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The government is frequently and aptly classed under two descriptions – a government of force, and a government of laws; the first is the definition of despotism- the last, of liberty.

Alexander Hamilton

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

Best Hope People
The government is frequently and aptly classed under two descriptions – a government of force, and a government of laws; the first is the definition of despotism- the last, of liberty.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Force Government Law Liberty
If the sword of oppression be permitted to lop off one limb without opposition, reiterated strokes will soon dismember the whole body.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Body Oppression
Divide et impera must be the motto of every nation that either hates or fears us.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Fear Hate Nation
The militia is a voluntary force not associated or under the control of the States except when called out; a permanent or long-standing force would be entirely different in make-up and call.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Control Different Force
We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Avoid Best Philosophy
Dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Ambition Appearance Danger Government People Right
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

Danger Liberty Love Powerful Safety Time
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

Change Necessary Possible Reason
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

Ambition Hope Option Ourselves Peace War
Happy it is when the interest which the government has in the preservation of its own power, coincides with a proper distribution of the public burthens, and tends to guard the least wealthy part of the community from oppression!
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Community Government Happiness Oppression Power
Who talks most about freedom and equality? Is it not those who hold the bill of rights in one hand and a whip for affrighted slaves in the other?
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Equality Freedom Slave
I have learned to hold popular opinion of no value.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Learning Myself Opinion Value
Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics the greatest number have begun their career, by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing Demagogues, and ending Tyrants.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Beginning Career End Greatness Liberty Man People
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

Divine Hands Human Right Writing
Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Government Liberty Security

The government is frequently and aptly classed under two descriptions – a government of force, and a government of laws; the first is the definition of despotism- the last, of liberty.

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The government is frequently and aptly classed under two descriptions – a government of force, and a government of laws; the first is the definition of despotism- the last, of liberty.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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