“In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will”
— Alexander Hamilton
Simplified Meaning:
When someone controls your basic needs like food, shelter, or money, they also have control over what you do and how you act. Think about a job: if your boss pays you and you need that money to live, you'll probably do what they ask, even if you don't really want to. This happens because your survival depends on that income. For example, in history, many people who worked in factories during the Industrial Revolution had to endure poor working conditions because their wages were the only way they could feed their families. If workers complained or refused to work, they could lose their jobs and struggle to survive. This shows how essential needs can influence people’s choices and behavior. The message here is to recognize how dependency can shape decisions and to try and create situations where you have more control over your own life.
