Over the last year, I have become a victim of "Hamilaria." The condition is characterized by the sufferer constantly listening to the soundtrack of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical" Hamilton," quoting song lyrics in day-to-day life and spending a ridiculous amount of money just to "be in the room where it happens." I have come to realize that not everyone is as obsessed with "Hamilton" as I am, but I think anyone would have to admit that "Hamilton" has some pretty quotable moments. Here are some of the very best from the show:
1. "The world turned upside down."
This is not a sentence necessarily, but it is such a powerful phrase. It is all about what results when you stand up for what you believe in and fight the status quo.
2. "I am not throwing away my shot."
This comes from one of the first songs in the musical, and it is a song that took Lin-Manuel Miranda over a year to write. It teaches us to go after what we want, to seize opportunity and to defy expectations.
3. "You have no control who lives, who dies, who tells your story."
This is advice that Washington tries to pass onto Hamilton. In your life, you have the chance to build your legacy, but you have no control over what people say about you or if they even say anything at all. It is a chilling thought, but it is true.
4. "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, and when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I'm gonna compel him to include women in the sequel."
This is one of my favorites. The world needs girl power and strong female characters, and the Schuyler sisters are some of the strongest and sassiest women out there.
5. "Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away."
Freedom is an innate right of every person. People can try to take it away from you, but they can never stop you from exercising your right to fight for your best life.
6. "Life doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints. It takes, and it takes, and it takes."
Being a good or bad person will not guarantee you good or bad things in life. It is sad, but it's true.
7. "I want to be in the room where it happens."
Aaron Burr, we have all been there. We have all felt like outsiders trying to make it in while other people rise to the top.
8. "When you're gone, who keeps your flame, who remembers your name, who tells your story?"
You only have one life to leave an impression. Make it count for the good.
9. "Awesome, wow."
Only big "Hamilton" fans will get the greatness of this one, but I had to throw in a King George moment.
10. "In the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet, for just a moment."
In the chaos of life, there are moments of peace and solitude, but when we are in the hurricane, we can often make foolish decisions.
11. "Everyday you fight like you're running out of time."
It is good to go after what you want, but you also have to remember to slow down and enjoy life too.
12. "For once in your life, take a stand with pride. I don't understand how you stand to the side."
This quote sums up the two rival ways of approaching life that run throughout the show: Running full force at what you want or standing back for life to bring you opportunity and avoid risk.
13. "You built palaces out of paragraphs. You built cathedrals."
This is a very sad song, but it is also such a beautiful lyric. This, of course, only adds to the sense of sadness.
14. "Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now."
The Schuyler sisters seem to have the perfect balance between the ideologies of Burr and Hamilton. Go after what you want, but also enjoy the opportunities that life give you along the way.
15. "Frankly, it's a little disquieting that you would let your ideals blind you to reality."
We have all had those moments we let our passions and ideals allow us to aim a little too highly.
16. "Every action has an equal opposite reaction."
It is just basic science.
17. "I will never be satisfied."
The most heartbreaking thing is when you give up what you want for someone you love.
18. "I should have known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me."
Rivalry, jealousy and hurt can lead people to do terrible things.
19."I stop wasting time on tears, I love another 50 years."
Life can bring great, great hardship, but those hardships can also make us so much stronger.
20. "The Lord, in his kindness, he gives me what you always wanted. He gives me more time."
Do not ever waste the precious time you are given on this earth.
21. "It's quiet uptown."
Life can get take terrible turns, but happiness can be found in the quiet.
22. "Forgiveness, can you imagine?"
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful things on earth. It heals.
23. "When you knock me down, I get the **** up again."
No, this is not from the Chumbawamba song. This is a quote by the wonderful Hercules Mulligan, and they are words to live by.
24. "History has its eyes on you."
We may not all be American Founding Fathers, but our choices now will great impact our futures.
25. "Someday, you'll blow us all away."
We all have a great future ahead of it if we are willing to make great things happen. Go blow us all away.