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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans reason but act mostly on passion; they are reasoning animals but not always reasonable.
In plain terms
People are ruled by passion more than reason.
What can you take from it?
Expect emotion to drive decisions.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • manage emotions
  • anticipate reactions

Questions to consider

  • When did passion override your reason?

Another view

People can act reasonably under constraints.

More from Alexander Hamilton

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  2. A garden, you know, is a very usual refuge of a disappointed politician. Accordingly, I have purchased a few acres about nine miles from town, have built a hou…

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  3. The passions of a revolution are apt to hurry even good men into excesses.

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