The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.
Interpretation
Hamilton emphasizes the importance of individuals being well-prepared and equipped.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton reflects on the necessity of ensuring that the general public is adequately equipped or prepared, particularly in the context of safety and defense. He suggests that while we may not always control the nature of the people, providing them with the right tools or means is crucial for a stable and secure society. This highlights a belief in empowerment through proper arming, which can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically regarding knowledge, skills, and rights.
In practice
In a discussion about community safety, one might reference Hamilton's quote to emphasize the importance of preparedness.
When men, engaged in unjustifiable pursuits, are aware that obstructions may come from a quarter which bare apprehension of opposition from doing what they would with eagerness rush into if no such external impediments were to be feared.
The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state, for the protection of its rights and interests: and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce among individuals. Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.
It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.
The Achaeans soon experienced, as often happens, that a victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master.
The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.
The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as the current of popular favor is checked. The great source of free government, popular election, should be perfectly pure, and the most unbounded liberty allowed.
And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
When religion is good, it will take care of itself. When it is not able to take care of itself, and God does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal to the civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that its cause is a bad one.
I believe what really happens in history is this: the old man is always wrong; and the young people are always wrong about what is wrong with him. The practical form it takes is this: that, while the old man may stand by some stupid custom, the young man always attacks it with some theory that turns out to be equally stupid.
Christianity is not a spectator sport. It's something in which we become totally involved.
In short, and let us be clear on it: race is not a card. It determines whom the dealer is, and who gets dealt.
Bourgeois society stands at the crossroads, either transition to socialism or regression into barbarism.
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