QuoteProject
Every power vested in a government is in its nature sovereign, and includes by force of the term a right to employ all the means requisite . . . to the attainment of the ends of such power.
Alexander Hamilton
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Government power is absolute and encompasses all necessary means to achieve its objectives.

This quote by Alexander Hamilton articulates the inherent nature of governmental power, emphasizing that any authority granted to a government is sovereign and implies the right to utilize any means necessary to fulfill its purposes. It signifies the broad scope of power that governments hold, underscoring the potential for both positive and negative implications depending on how that power is exercised.

Themes

GovernmentPowerSovereigntyAuthorityMeansEnds

In practice

Example use cases

A politician might use this quote in a debate to emphasize the importance of strong governmental authority.

More from Alexander Hamilton

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.
Alexander HamiltonRead
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.
Alexander HamiltonRead
It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.
Alexander HamiltonRead
The Achaeans soon experienced, as often happens, that a victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master.
Alexander HamiltonRead
The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.
Alexander HamiltonRead
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.
Alexander HamiltonRead

Similar quotes

There is much that women can bring into politics that would make our world a kinder, gentler place for humanity to thrive in.
Corazon AquinoRead
Political leaders still think things can be done through force, but that cannot solve terrorism. Backwardness is the breeding ground of terror, and that is what we have to fight.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
Senator [Stephen] Douglas is of world-wide renown. All the anxious politicians of his party, or who have been of his party for years past, have been looking upon him as certainly, at no distant day, to be the President of the United States. They have seen in his round, jolly, fruitful face, post offices, land offices, marshalships, and cabinet appointments, chargeships and foreign missions, bursting and sprouting out in wonderful exuberance ready to be laid hold of by their greedy hands.
Abraham LincolnRead
REPRESENTATIVE, n. In national politics, a member of the Lower House in this world, and without discernible hope of promotion in the next.
Ambrose BierceRead
I don't think we can have democracies that work where most of the people are not benefiting economically, where most of the people are worried about their job security.
Joseph StiglitzRead
Government ... can't be trusted to control its own bureaucrats or collect taxes equitably or fill a pothole, much less decide which of its citizens to kill.
Helen PrejeanRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Alexander Hamilton | QuoteProject