FOR ALL AGES
‘Hamilton’ is a critically acclaimed and hugely successful American musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers.
The musical is written by the actor Lin Manuel Miranda who also sings and raps on the show. The show has received laurels for its diverse, color-blind, casting and progressive political message.
Many of the key historical figures in the show, including other founding fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, are played by black, Latino and Asian actors. ‘Hamilton’ premiered Off-Broadway on 17 February, 2015, at the Public Theater, where its several-month engagement was sold out.
Hamilton’s life begins to change when he secures passage on a New York-bound ship and becomes invested in the up and coming American Revolution. Alexander Hamilton meets the revolutionary upstart Aaron Burr and is also introduced to the rest of Burr’s revolutionary friends. Alexander Hamilton quickly rises within the ranks and impresses the revolutionaries with his oratory skills and dedication to the cause. Ultimately, Alexander Hamilton becomes George Washington’s secretary during the war. Hamilton also meets his wife, Eliza Schuyler, who is an integral part of the musical and his life.
Alexander Hamilton’s life comes to an untimely end when Aaron Burr, angry at his absent endorsement, shoots him during a duel. Hamilton’s death weighs heavily on Aaron Burr and he laments that he will forever be known as a villain in history.
We have compiled a list of the best 'Hamilton' musical quotes, inspirational 'Hamilton' quotes, famous 'Hamilton' quotes, Alexander Hamilton quotes on Federalism, Alexander Hamilton quotes on liberty, Eliza Hamilton quotes, funny 'Hamilton' quotes, and Alexander Hamilton quotes on government, plus more.
Our list of ‘Hamilton’ quotes from the 11 times Tony award-winning musical is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. We've rounded up iconic and memorable quotes from many different characters of the hit show for your enjoyment. For more historical content, you can check out these civil war quotes and patriotic quotes.
Alexander Hamilton’s journey from an impoverished family to his rise in New York forms the most inspiring parts of the show. Hamilton’s life begins in the West Indies region of the Caribbean, where he is born. His early years are riddled with misfortunes and abandonment, as portrayed by Lin Manuel Miranda. If you are touched and inspired by the story of Alexander Hamilton’s life, you are sure to love these top Hamilton quotes. These motivational Hamilton quotes will give you a meaningful glimpse into his life.
1. "I probably shouldn't brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish."
-Alexander Hamilton.
2. "We are a powder keg about to explode. I need someone like you to lighten the load."
-George Washington.
3. "And when you said 'Hi,' I forgot my dang name. Set my heart aflame, ev'ry part aflame."
-Angelica Hamilton.
4. "I am not throwing away my shot."
-Alexander Hamilton.
5. "History has its eyes on you."
-George Washington, Marie Reynolds and Eliza and Angelica Hamilton.
6. "There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait. Just you wait."
-Alexander Hamilton.
7. "You and your words flooded my senses. Your sentences left me defenseless. You built me palaces out of paragraphs."
-Eliza Hamilton.
8. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We fought for these ideals we shouldn't settle for less."
-Thomas Jefferson.
9. "I wanna be in the room where it happens."
10. "This is not a moment. It's the movement."
-Alexander Hamilton.
11. "Immigrants...we get the job done."
-Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette.
12. "In New York you can be a new man."
-Aaron Burr and Company.
13. "I'm just like my country. I'm young, scrappy, and hungry."
-Alexander Hamilton.
14. "Wait 'til I sally in on a stallion with the first Black battalion."
-John Laurens.
15. "I may not live to see our glory. But I will gladly join the fight. And when our children tell our story, they'll tell the story of tonight."
-Alexander Hamilton.
16. "Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away."
-John Laurens.
17. "And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’ll compel him to include women in the sequel. Work!"
-Angelica Schuyler.
18. "Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now."
-Eliza Hamilton.
19. "I will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love."
-King George III.
20. "Dying is easy young man, living is harder."
-George Washington.
If you want to learn more about the life and beliefs of Alexander Hamilton and his comrades, check out these Hamilton quotes from the musical. This includes Alexander Hamilton quotes on human nature, as well as Thomas Jefferson Hamilton quotes.
21. “Love doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints.”
22. “How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower somehow defeat a global superpower?”
-Aaron Burr.
23. “You have no control: Who lives who dies who tells your story.”
-George Washington and Company.
24. “Have you an ounce of regret? You accumulate debt, you accumulate power. Yet in their hour of need, you forget.”
-Thomas Jefferson.
25. “I wrote Eliza love letters until she fell. I wrote about The Constitution and defended it well.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
26. “Talk less! Smile more! Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for!”
-Aaron Burr.
27. “I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal. Tryin’ to reach my goal, my power of speech: unimpeachable.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
28. “Ev’ry action has its equal, opposite reactions.”
-Thomas Jefferson.
29. “My dearest, Angelica. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. Creeps in this petty pace from day to day.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
30. “I’m a little nervous, but I can’t show it. I’m sorry, I’m a Hamilton with pride. You talk about my father, I cannot let it slide.”
-Philip Hamilton.
31. “I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original.”
-Aaron Burr.
32. “You’re on your own, awesome…wow.”
-King George III.
33. “The ten-dollar Founding Father without a father, Got a lot farther by working a lot harder, By being a lot smarter, by being a self-starter.”
-John Laurens.
34. “You can write rhymes, but you can’t write mine.”
-Philip Hamilton.
35. “Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.”
-George Washington
36. “You get nothing if you…Wait for it, wait for it, wait!”
-Alexander Hamilton.
37. “God help and forgive me, I wanna build something that’s gonna outlive me.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
38. “The plan is to fan this spark into a flame.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
39. “We push away what we can never understand. We push away the unimaginable.”
-Angelica Schuyler
40. “Every action’s an act of creation!”
-Alexander Hamilton.
Lin Manuel Miranda was inspired to write the musical when he discovered the biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Lin Manuel Miranda not only wrote the lyrics and music of the show but also played the titular character of Alexander Hamilton. A documentary about the creation of the show, ‘Hamilton's America,’ featuring Lin Manuel Miranda, premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 1, 2016. The Puerto Rican Lin Manuel Miranda always intended to play the lead role of ‘Hamilton’ but specifically kept the casting color blind. Lin Manuel Miranda has also been credited with revolutionizing musical theatre and the way Americans think about their own history. Lin Manuel Miranda has explained that ‘Hamilton’ serves as his love letter to hip - hop that he grew up on. Lin Manuel Miranda eventually exited the show in 2016 and was replaced by Javier Munoz. Since his exit, Lin Manuel Miranda has performed parts in film, theatre and television, including a stint hosting ‘Saturday Night Live.’ If you are a fan of Miranda, you are sure to love these powerful and memorable quotes from ‘Hamilton.’
41. “I was chosen for the Constitutional Conventional!”
-Alexander Hamilton.
42. “We’ll make it right for you. If we lay a strong enough foundation, we’ll pass it on to you. We’ll give the world to you.”
-Dear Theodosia.
43. “I’d rather be divisive than indecisive. Drop the niceties. Hamilton.”
-Aaron Burr.
44. “When you smile, you know me out, I fall apart.”
-Dear Theodosia.
45. “They are standing in the garden, Alexander by Eliza’s side. She takes his hand. It’s quiet uptown. Forgiveness. Can you imagine?”
-Angelica Schuyler.
46. “Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up. Tell your sister that she’s gotta rise up.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
47. “But I’m not afraid, I know who I married. Just let me stay here by your side. That would be enough.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
48. “We gotta go, gotta get the job done, gotta start a new nation, gotta meet my son!”
-Alexander Hamilton.
49. “See him now as he stands on the bow of a ship headed for a new land. In New York you can be a new man.”
-Aaron Burr.
50. “Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
51. “Don’t modulate the key and not debate with me.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
52. “I will send a fully-armed battalion to remind you of my love.”
-King George III.
53. “Why do you write like you’re running out of time?”
-Eliza Hamilton.
54. “I’ll give him this: His financial system is a work of genius. I couldn’t undo it if I tried. And I tried.”
-Thomas Jefferson.
55. “Then stand, Alexander. Weehawken. Dawn. Guns. Drawn.”
-Aaron Burr.
56. “My love, take your time. I’ll see you on the other side.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
57. “He’s never gonna be president now. That’s one less thing to worry about.”
-Thomas Jefferson.
58. “And when my prayers to God were met with indifference, I picked up a pen, I wrote my own deliverance.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
59. “I’m chasing what I want. And you know what? I learned that from you.”
-Aaron Burr.
60. “Hamilton’s a host unto himself. As long as he can hold a pen, he’s a threat.”
-Thomas Jefferson.
‘Hamilton’ has become especially well-known for its catchy songs. Some of the well-known songs from the show are ‘Story of Tonight,’ ‘My Shot,’ ‘Alexander Hamilton,’ and ‘The World was Wide enough.’ Story of tonight is the fourth song in Act one of the show. If you love these songs, you are sure to love our collection of quotes from popular songs and personalities of the show.
61. “Winning was easy, young man. Governing is harder.”
-George Washington.
62. “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude may be your doom!”
-Aaron Burr.
63. “I’m only nineteen but my mind is older. Gotta be my own man, like my father, but bolder. I shoulder his legacy with pride.”
-Philip Hamilton (and Ensemble).
64. “In their eyes, I see you, Alexander. I see you every time and when my time is up, have I done enough, will they tell your story?”
-Eliza Hamilton.
65. “A civics lesson from a slaver, hey neighbor, your debts are paid cause’ you don’t pay for labor.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
66. “No one knows what you believe.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
67. "Come back to bed, that would be enough."
-Eliza Hamilton.
68. "There are moments that the words don't reach."
-Angelica Schuyler.
69. "Look 'em in the eye, aim no higher. Summon all the courage you require."
-Alexander Hamilton.
70. "And when you were mine. The world seemed to burn."
-Alexander Hamilton.
71. "I love my sister more than anything in this life. I will choose her happiness over mine every time."
-Angelica Schuyler.
72. "In the eye of a hurricane. There is quiet. For just a moment."
-Alexander Hamilton.
73. "Rumors only grow. And we both know what we know."
-Aaron Burr.
74. "Try not to crack under the stress, we're breaking down like fractions."
-Thomas Jefferson.
75. "I swear your pride will be the death of us all. Beware, it goeth before the fall."
-Aaron Burr.
76. "In God we trust. But we'll never really know what got discussed."
-Alexander Hamilton.
77. “It's all right, you wanna fight. You've got a hunger. I was just like you when I was younger. Head full of fantasies of dying like a martyr?”
-George Washington.
78. “The people are asking to hear my voice. The country is facing a difficult choice. And if you were to ask me who I'd promote. Jefferson has my vote.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
79. “Burr, we studied and we fought, and we killed for the notion of a nation. We now get to build for once in your life. Take a stand with pride. I don't understand how you stand to the side.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
80. “This war is hard enough without infighting.”
-George Washington.
Lin Manuel Miranda has received many laurels and awards, including the Tony and Grammy Awards for his work on ‘Hamilton’. Lin Manuel Miranda also performed ‘Hamilton’ at the White House for Barrack Obama. If you need any more convincing to watch, do check out our list of the most iconic quotes from ‘Hamilton’.
81. “The people are rioting. There's a difference. Frankly, it's a little disquieting. You would let your ideals. Blind you to reality. Hamilton?”
-George Washington.
82. “Chaos and bloodshed are not a solution. Don't let them lead you astray. This congress does not speak for me.”
-Samuel Seabury.
83. “Come back home when you're done. Take my guns, be smart. Make me proud, son.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
84. “Sometimes I get overexcited, shoot off at the mouth. I never had a group of friends before. I promise that I’ll make y'all proud.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
85. “Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?”
-Aaron Burr.
86. “Ladies and gentlemen, you could've been anywhere in the world tonight, but you're here with us in New York City. Are you ready for a Cabinet meeting?”
-George Washington.
87. “I stop wasting time on tears. I live another fifty years.”
-Eliza Washington.
88. “Now you call me “amoral,” a “dangerous disgrace.” If you’ve got something to say. Name a time and place. Face to face.”
-Aaron Burr.
89. “Pick up a pen, start writing. I wanna talk about what I have learned. The hard-won wisdom I have earned.”
-George Washington.
90. “I know you are a man of honor, I’m so sorry to bother you at home but I don’t know where to go, and I came here all alone.”
-Maria Reynolds.
91. “Gentlemen of the jury, I’m curious, bear with me.”
-Alexander Hamilton.
92. "A tailor spyin’ on the British government! I take their measurements, information and then I smuggle it!”
-Hercules Mulligan.
93. "My grandfather was a fire and brimstone preacher. My mother was a genius.”
-Aaron Burr.
94. “I’m just sayin’, if you really loved me, you would share him.”
-Angelica Schuyler.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Hamilton' quotes from the 11 times Tony award winning musical, then why not take a look at these quotes about America or 'Grease' quotes.
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