Our countrymen have all the folly of the ass and all the passiveness of the sheep.
Interpretation
This quote critiques the behavior of people who blindly follow others without critical thinking.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton expresses his discontent with the tendency of the populace to lack discernment and active engagement in societal issues. He compares them to 'asses' and 'sheep,' suggesting that they exhibit foolishness and a passive acceptance of the status quo, thereby highlighting the importance of individual thought and action in a democratic society.
In practice
During a town hall meeting to inspire civic engagement among citizens.
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.
Pride, on the other hand, is the mother of all sins, and the original sin of lucifer.... An instrument strung, but preferring to play itself because it thinks it knows the tune better than the Musician
Do not follow after the past; do not go forward to meet the future. Instead, just rest the mind naturally in the present awareness.
It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful as the other.
Each nation has a main current in life; in India it is religion. Make it strong and the waters on either side must move along with it.
Republic. I like the sound of the word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling.
No bloody or unbloody change of society can eradicate the evil in man: as long as there will be men, there will be malice, envy and hatred, and hence there cannot be a society which does not have to employ coercive restraint.
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