Can someone explain what any of these quotes mean?

Question

Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the government of Europle, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor. - T. Jefferson


Take Mankind in general; they are vicious, their passions may be operated upon - A. Hamilton


War is not at all such a difficult art as people think. In reality, it would seem that he is vanquished who is afraid of the adversary, and that the whole sectret of war is this.


The interest of the state is in intimate connection with those of the rich individuals belonging to it.

Answer 1

Try Hamilton complete paragraph

Mr. Hamilton. In all general questions which become the subjects of discussion, there are always some truths mixed with falsehoods. I confess there is danger where men are capable of holding two offices. Take mankind in general, they are vicious--their passions may be operated upon. We have been taught to reprobate the danger of influence in the British government, without duly reflecting how far it was necessary to support a good government. We have taken up many ideas upon trust, and at last, pleased with our own opinions, establish them as undoubted truths. Hume's opinion of the British constitution confirms the remark, that there is always a body of firm patriots, who often shake a corrupt administration. Take mankind as they are, and what are they governed by? Their passions. There may be in every government a few choice spirits, who may act from more worthy motives. One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are. Our prevailing passions are ambition and interest; and it will ever be the duty of a wise government to avail itself of those passions, in order to make them subservient to the public good--for these ever induce us to action. Perhaps a few men in a state, may, from patriotic motives, or to display their talents, or to reap the advantage

On Jefferson

"I am convinced that those societies (as the Indians) which live without government, enjoy in their general mass an infinitely greater degree of happiness than those who live under the European governments. Among the former, public opinion is in the place of law, and restrains morals as powerfully as laws ever did anywhere. Among the latter, under pretense of governing, they have divided their nations into two classes, wolves and sheep. I do not exaggerate... Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the governments of Europe, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 1787. ME 6:58

Answer 2

I wish to challenge the quote attributed to T Jefferson atop the question. It sounds very Unlike Jefferson to be warning against tthe "tyranny of the wealthy" since he himself was a wealthy colonial landowner. I made made a brief search of "quote attribution" websites and find no mention of this quote.

It sounds more like the communist manifesto, or something Lenin or Marx might have said...

Answer 3

The Jefferson quote is found on the Monticello web site, where they even have a separate section for spurious quotes. This one is quite likely to be authentic. http://tjrs.monticello.org/letter/1290