“Have we not already seen enough of the fallacy and extravagance of those idle theories which have amused us with promises of an exemption from the imperfections, weaknesses and evils incident to society in every shape?”

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

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

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.

Boredom is the root of all evil.

Look not at the greatness of the evil past, but the greatness of the good to follow.

I do believe there are monstrous and evil acts, but I do not believe those who commit such acts are monsters or evil.

Epicurus’s old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?

When the devil is called god of this world, it is not because he made it, but because we serve him with our worldiness.

God himself would not permit evil in this world if good did not come of it for the benefit and harmony of the universe.

Work and struggle and never accept an evil that you can change.

You can make money doing evil.