---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A nation which can prefer disgrace to…"
description: "\"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.\" — Alexander Hamilton"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg"
---

#  A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared…

![“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg)

> “A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A society that prefers shame over danger invites domination, implying that fear of disgrace leads to subjugation.

**In simple terms:** Choosing shame over danger invites oppression.

Key Takeaway

Reject shame, confront danger.

Themes

politics power freedom society

Mood

serious determined

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- political movements
- public policy debates
- civil rights activism

Key Concepts

authoritarianism courage collective responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

- What dangers are worth confronting?
- How can societies balance honor and safety?

A Different Perspective

People may fear danger for legitimate safety concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[American revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Danger Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger-prepared-1552854/) [Deserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve/) [Deserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserves/) [Disgrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace/) [Disgrace Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace-danger-1552853/) [Master Deserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-deserves-975882/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared/) [Prepared Master](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-master-1552855/) [Voting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voting/)

## Related quotes

> [The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [We have a master who deserves radical sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/we-have-a-master-who-deserves-radical-sacrifice/)

[David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/)

> [No man in his senses can hesitate in choosing to be free, rather than a slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/no-man-in-his-senses-can-hesitate-in-choosing-to-be-free-rather-than/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-people-are-turbulent-and-changing-they-seldom-judge-right-or-make/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Our countrymen have all the folly of the ass and all the passiveness of the sheep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/our-countrymen-have-all-the-folly-of-the-ass-and-all-the-passiveness/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/)

[David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/)

> [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/)

[Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/)

> [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/)

[Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/)

> [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“Socially, politically, economically, militarily, culturally, racially, sexually, demographically, even mythologically, World War II was the crucible that forged modern America. It was the transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haynes-johnson/socially-politically-economically-militarily-culturally-racially/)

[Haynes Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haynes-johnson/)

> [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/)

[William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/)

> [“Patriotism is a fierce love for the nation’s soul - its land, its people, its core, coupled with a burning contempt for a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/njau-kihia/patriotism-is-a-fierce-love-for-the-nation-s-soul-its-land-its-people/)

[Njau Kihia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/njau-kihia/)

> [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/)

[H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/)

## More by Alexander Hamilton

> [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [“The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-truth-unquestionably-is-that-the-only-path-to-a-subversion-of-the/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [ \[W\]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitution-not-of-executive-but-of/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-will-be-of-little-avail-to-the-people-that-the-laws-are-made-by/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/though-a-wide-ocean-separates-the-united-states-from-europe-yet-there/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [It is an unquestionable truth, that the body of the people in every country desire sincerely its prosperity. But it is equally unquestionable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-an-unquestionable-truth-that-the-body-of-the-people-in-every/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [ It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another \[for the Executive\] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the-laws-and-another-for-the/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Man is very much a creature of habit. A thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but little influence upon his mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/man-is-very-much-a-creature-of-habit-a-thing-that-rarely-strikes-his/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [Money is, with propriety, considered as the vital principle of the body politic; as that which sustains its life and motion, and enables it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/money-is-with-propriety-considered-as-the-vital-principle-of-the-body/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [It is a well-known fact that in countries in which the national debt is properly funded, and an object of established confidence, it answers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-well-known-fact-that-in-countries-in-which-the-national-debt/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [A government, the constitution of which renders it unfit to be trusted with all the powers which a free people ought to delegate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-government-the-constitution-of-which-renders-it-unfit-to-be-trusted/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-liberty-of-the-press-consists-in-the-right-to-publish-with/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

> [You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/you-should-not-have-taken-advantage-of-my-sensibility-to-steal-into/)

[Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

[Explore all 443 Alexander Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/)

## More American revolution quotes

> [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/)

[H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/)

> [“Patriotism is a fierce love for the nation’s soul - its land, its people, its core, coupled with a burning contempt for a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/njau-kihia/patriotism-is-a-fierce-love-for-the-nation-s-soul-its-land-its-people/)

[Njau Kihia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/njau-kihia/)

> [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/)

[William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/)

> [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Socially, politically, economically, militarily, culturally, racially, sexually, demographically, even mythologically, World War II was the crucible that forged modern America. It was the transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haynes-johnson/socially-politically-economically-militarily-culturally-racially/)

[Haynes Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haynes-johnson/)

> [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/)

[Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/)

> [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/)

[Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/)

> [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/)

[David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/)

> [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [“Wyoming got an Algonquian name from Pennsylvania meaning “large prairie,” but the adoption came only after a long fight. Decades before the settling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/wyoming-got-an-algonquian-name-from-pennsylvania-meaning-large/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [Obama is now fighting for his life. He's fighting for a federal government. I believe in a federal government. I hope it sticks around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/obama-is-now-fighting-for-his-life-he-s-fighting-for-a-federal/)

[Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/)

> [But I'm a daughter of the American revolution, my grandpa fought in World War II, I have lots of family members who were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/but-i-m-a-daughter-of-the-american-revolution-my-grandpa-fought-in/)

[Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/)

> [ “The important point of this report \[Montague, Massachusetts; July 7, 1774\] may be summed up in six resolutions: 1. We approve of the plan… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-pearson-pressey/the-important-point-of-this-report-montague-massachusetts-july-7-1774/)

[Edward Pearson Pressey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-pearson-pressey/)

[Browse all 329 American revolution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alexander Hamilton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a-master/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "American revolution"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a-master/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/alexander-hamilton-619_american-revolution_a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-da_275173.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” — Alexander Hamilton",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alexander Hamilton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A nation which can prefer disgrace...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a-master/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a-master/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
