Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Hamilton defines true liberty as existing in balanced, moderate republics rather than extremes.
In plain terms
Freedom needs balanced government to last.
What can you take from it?
Seek moderation in politics.

Where it applies

  • constitution writing
  • political strategy
  • reform

Putting it to work

  • avoid political extremes
  • build balanced systems

Questions to consider

  • Why is extremism bad?
  • What is a moderate government?

Another view

Moderation can sometimes enable stagnation.

More from Alexander Hamilton

  1. All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and wellborn, the other the mass of the people...The people are turbulent a…

    Permalink to quote #18
  2. It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important questi…

    Permalink to quote #20
  3. I believe the British government forms the best model the world has ever produced...This government has for its object public strength and individual security.

    Permalink to quote #17

Related quotes

  1. I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!

    Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater quote #3
  2. The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.

    Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson quote #22
  3. The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally stak…

    George WashingtonGeorge Washington quote #30