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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hamilton argues that moderate debt can strengthen a nation by fostering credit and unity.
In plain terms
Moderate national debt can be useful for a country.
What can you take from it?
Use debt carefully to build national strength.

Where it applies

  • government budgeting
  • policy debate
  • economic planning

Putting it to work

  • evaluate debt levels
  • build credit score

Questions to consider

  • When does debt become harmful?
  • How do you measure excess?

Another view

Excessive debt can still lead to crisis despite good intentions.

More from Alexander Hamilton

  1. For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interes…

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  2. It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false th…

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  3. Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.

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