The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased.
Interpretation
Human rights are inherent and cannot be found in old documents; they are part of our nature.
This quote expresses the idea that the fundamental rights of humanity are not merely historical constructs that can be found in documents or records. Instead, these rights are intrinsic to human nature itself, imbued by a higher power, and are therefore eternal and unremovable. Hamilton emphasizes the divine and natural origins of human rights, suggesting that they are universal and should be recognized by all societies.
In practice
In a speech advocating for civil rights, one could quote Hamilton to highlight that rights are not granted but are inherent to all individuals.
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 a man isn't a certain age, he just isn't interesting.
People today sometimes get uncomfortable with empirical claims that seem to clash with their political assumptions, often because they haven't given much thought to the connections.
An independent state does not pay too dear a price for its independence in accepting the sufferings of war when it cannot avoid them; a state which has lost its independence may find at least some compensation in the fact that its protector procures for it peace with its neighbours.
Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.
Men are most powerfully affected by those evils which themselves feel, or which appear before their own eyes.
Perhaps fate isn't blind after all. Perhaps it's capable of fantasy, even compassion.
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