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About this quote

What does it mean?
Revolutionary fervor can push even well-intentioned people into extreme actions.
In plain terms
Even good people can do extreme things when caught up in a revolution.
What can you take from it?
Be cautious of emotional excess during times of radical change.

Where it applies

  • social upheaval
  • political crisis
  • mass movements

Putting it to work

  • monitoring revolutionary actions
  • tempering emotional responses

Questions to consider

  • Can moral people commit immoral acts in chaos?
  • When does passion become a liability?

Another view

Caution during revolution may slow necessary change or perpetuate oppression.

More from Alexander Hamilton

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  3. If the end be clearly comprehended within any of the specified powers, and if the measure have an obvious relation to that end, and is not forbidden by any par…

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