Hamilton had one of the most interesting biographies of any of the Founding Fathers. An illegitimate child, born in the West Indies, a true outsider, and a brilliant mind.
Some excellent comments by Sheila O'Malley at her blog--http://www.sheilaomalley.com/archives/007540.html
As Sheila quotes,
Hamilton:
Take mankind in general, they are vicious - their passions may be operated upon. Take mankind as they are, and what are they governed by? Their passions. There may be in every government a few choice spirits, who may act from more worthy motives [but] one great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are. Our prevailing passions are ambition and interest. Wise government should avail itself of those passions, to make them subservient to the public good.
Hamilton's also the one who said, at the end of his 6-hour long speech at the Constitutional Convention: "Decision is true wisdom." This is part of the reason why he is one of the most important members of that founding generation - but it is also the reason that people found him terrifying. Abigail Adams warned her husband, "That man is another Bonaparte."
There is a contradictory dynamic within him that I find so compelling.
Sheila's blog is outstanding, worth reading in detail.
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