“It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard against the oppression of its rulers but to guard one part of society against the injustice of the other part.”

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism”

“[Philip's death was] beyond comparison the most afflicting of my life.... He was truly a fine youth. But why should I repine? It was the will of heaven and he is now out of the reach of the seductions and calamities of a world full of folly, full of vice, full of danger, of least value in proportion as it is best known. I firmly trust also that he has safely reached the haven of eternal repose and felicity. (Alexander Hamilton letter to Benjamin Rush about the death of his 19-year old son from mortal wounds inflicted from a duel.)”

“I think the first duty of society is justice.”

“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.”

“Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.”

“When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.”

“Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.”

“Learn to think continentally.”

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

“It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.”