There are some who maintain that trade will regulate itself, and it is not to be benefited by the encouragements or restraints of government. Such persons will imagine that there is no need of a common directing power. This is one of those wild speculative paradoxes, which have grown into credit among us, contrary to the uniform practice and sense of the most enlightened nations.
Interpretation
Hamilton critiques the idea that trade can self-regulate without government intervention.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton argues against the belief that trade can function effectively on its own without guidance or rules imposed by government. He refers to this notion as a 'wild speculative paradox,' highlighting that most enlightened nations recognize the necessity of a regulatory framework to ensure fair and efficient markets.
In practice
Quoting Hamilton during a debate on economic policy to emphasize the role of government.
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.
Everyone is the other and no one is himself.
Let him go abroad to a distant country; let him go to some place where he is not known. Don't let him go to the devil, where he is known.
... our purpose in founding our state was not to promote the happiness of a single class, but, so far as possible, of the whole community. Our idea was that we were most likely to justice in such a community, and so be able to decide the question we are trying to answer. We are therefore at the moment trying to construct what we think is a happy community by securing the happiness not of a select minority, but of a whole.
Between the dreams of night and day there is not so great a difference.
My book centers in on the New Testament, the goal being to help a person who wants to understand the Bible to see how what God did as revealed in the New Testament will reveal to them their own personal story.
The difficulties which I meet with in order to realize my existence are precisely what awaken and mobilize my activities, my capacities.
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