Alexander Hamilton quotes

Died 1804 · Charlestown, Nevis

• There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void.

• …the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the constitution; because it will be least in a capacity to annoy or injure them.

• Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government.

• Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

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

• It has been frequently remarked, that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend, for their political constitutions, on accident and force.