People sometimes attribute my success to my genius; all the genius I know anything about is hard work.
Interpretation
Success is primarily the result of hard work rather than innate talent or genius.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton emphasizes the importance of hard work as the cornerstone of achievement. He counters the misconception that success is solely a product of genius, suggesting instead that diligent effort and perseverance are the true drivers of accomplishment.
In practice
In a motivational speech to students about the importance of diligence in their studies.
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.
If you want to create abundance for yourself, create it for someone else.
We are all self-made, but only the successful will admit it.
Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.
Energy and patience in business are two indispensable elements of success.
One of the myths you see in entrepreneurship is that people have this dream one night, wake up the next morning, and start building it. It's actually much more of an iterative process.
Anyone who has played the game professionally, you're always taught that the ball is the most important, most precious thing, so when the ball hits the ground, it's always a mad scramble. It's amazing how many times there is a fumble, and the person who recovers it initially doesn't walk away with the ball.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.