The militia is a voluntary force not associated or under the control of the States except when called out; [ when called into actual service] a permanent or long standing force would be entirely different in make-up and call.
Interpretation
Hamilton emphasizes the distinction between a voluntary militia and a standing army controlled by the state.
This quote by Alexander Hamilton highlights the importance of differentiating between a militia, which is composed of citizen volunteers and operates independently of state control, and a standing army, which is a permanent, formal military force managed by the government. Hamilton argues that a militia serves the purpose of protecting the freedom of the people, while a standing army could pose a threat to liberty if misused by those in power.
In practice
In a debate about the role of the military in society.
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.
I love life - that’s my real weakness. I love it so much that I am incapable of imagining what is not life.
I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?
When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency.
To embarrass justice by multiplicity of laws, or to hazard it by confidence in judges, seem to be the opposite rocks on which all civil institutions have been wrecked, and between which legislative wisdom has never yet found an open passage.
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.
And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.