Human will, discernment, and purpose enter and complicate the situation in a way that makes theories of determinism appear absurd.

No one has ever contended that Hamilton was prompted by an economic motive in giving up his law practice to accept public office.

He did so against the remonstrances of his friends, whose predictions that what he would get out of it for himself would be calumny, persecution, and loss of fortune, were all fully verified; but he possessed a nature which found its happiness in bringing high ideals to grand fulfillment, and in applying his powers to that object he let everything else go.

Hamilton's career is one of the greatest of those facts that baffle attempts to reduce history to an exhibition of the play of economic forces..