Alexander Hamilton

"Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants."

"The stability of our government depends on the wisdom of Congress."

"Our foundation must be laid in the manners and habits of our people."

"The institution of delegated power implies that there is a power superior to the delegate."

"In the general course of human nature, power over others is agreeable."

"Despotism can only exist in darkness."

"The true test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time."

"Slow acting measures are unsuitable to the present exigencies."

"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican government is justly considered as finally staked on the American experiment."

"We are neither gods nor beasts, but something between the two."

"Let me recommend to you the importance of the study of political science."

"The first thing necessary for the public happiness is the virtues of the people."

"To yield to the desire of some politicians to enlarge the prerogatives of Government is to go in the wrong direction."

"The better to understand the subject, let us reason from the foundations."

"The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people."

"The jealousy of power is the parent of wisdom."

"Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast than avarice."

"It must be cherished as the palladium of our political safety."

"The state of the union is strong when the union of states is strong."

"A lover of mankind calls for his aid not a supernatural power but the knowledge of human nature."

"The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation."

"Establish the facts and the law will take care of itself."

"Liberty should be protected by the Constitution through the people's virtue."

"The happiness of the community is the highest object of government."

"Know thyself is as much a moral as an intellectual precept."

"To persons in every station of life, I would recommend the cultivation of knowledge."

"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty is the destiny of the republican government."

"Nothing that has happened can take away the triumph of the American principle of liberty."

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."

"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one."