He saw that while he had much to lose by refraining from the duel, he had precious little to gain by facing it: "I shall hazard much and can possibly gain nothing by the issue of the interview." 72 Why then did he fight? To maintain his sense of honor and capacity for leadership, he argued, he had to bow to the public's belief in dueling: "The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good, in those crises of our public affairs which seem likely to happen would probably be inseparable from a conformity with public prejudice in this particular." 73 In other words, he had to safeguard his career to safeguard the country. His self-interest and America's were indistinguishable.
( Ron Chernow )
[ Alexander Hamilton ]
www.QuoteSweet.com