It is in vain to hope to guard against events too mighty for human foresight or precaution, and it would be idle to object to a government because it could not perform impossibilities.
Interpretation
Human foresight is limited, and it is unrealistic to expect absolute control over uncontrollable events.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton suggests that it is futile to expect that we can always predict or protect ourselves from events that are beyond human control. He emphasizes that it is unreasonable to criticize a government or leadership for not being able to prevent outcomes that are inherently unpredictable or impossible to prevent, highlighting the limitations of human foresight and the nature of unforeseen occurrences.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the limitations of political leadership during a crisis.
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.
In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out-give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave.
It is impossible to deny that Christians and Muslims have a common agenda here: both faiths have at their heart the living image of a community raised up by God's call to reveal to the world what God's purpose is for humanity.
Jesus is not a figure from the past: He continues now and always to light the way for us.
The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.
Historian: an unsuccessful novelist.
The Catechism was not written to please you. It will not make life easy for you, because it demands of you a new life.
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