--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps myself the first, at some expense…" description: "\"Perhaps myself the first, at some expense of popularity, to unfold the true character of Jefferson, it is too late for me to become his apologist. Nor ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/329/alexander-hamilton-619_administration_perhaps-myself-the-first-at-some-expense_3145434.jpg" --- # Perhaps myself the first, at some expense of popularity… ![“Perhaps myself the first, at some expense of popularity, to unfold the true character of Jefferson, it is too late for me to become his apologist. Nor can I have any disposition to do it. I admit that his politics are tinctured with fanaticism, that he is too much in earnest in his democracy, that…” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/329/alexander-hamilton-619_administration_perhaps-myself-the-first-at-some-expense_3145434.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/329/alexander-hamilton-619_administration_perhaps-myself-the-first-at-some-expense_3145434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/329/alexander-hamilton-619_administration_perhaps-myself-the-first-at-some-expense_3145434.jpg) > “Perhaps myself the first, at some expense of popularity, to unfold the true character of Jefferson, it is too late for me to become his apologist. Nor can I have any disposition to do it. I admit that his politics are tinctured with fanaticism, that he is too much in earnest in his democracy, that he has been a mischievous enemy to the principle measures of our past administration, that he is crafty & persevering in his objects, that he is not scrupulous about the means of success, nor very mindful of truth, and that he is a contemptible hypocrite.” [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. Hamilton critiques Jefferson’s political zeal, labeling him as overly earnest, hypocritical, and willing to compromise truth for success. **In simple terms:** Hamilton sees Jefferson as a fervent but flawed democrat. Key Takeaway Recognize the danger of extreme idealism without ethical restraint. Themes politics idealism hypocrisy leadership Mood skeptical reflective Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - public debate - historical analysis - leadership training Key Concepts political theory ethical philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Can we separate a leader’s flaws from their achievements? - How do we balance passion with integrity in politics? A Different Perspective Hamilton’s view may overlook Jefferson’s contributions to liberty and democratic foundations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-jefferson-5624066/) [Contemptible Hypocrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemptible-hypocrite-5624068/) [Crafty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafty/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earnest/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Expenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expenses/) [Fanaticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanaticism/) [Fanaticism Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanaticism-earnest-5624069/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Hypocrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrite/) [Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jefferson/) [Jefferson Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jefferson-late-5624067/) [Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late/) [Late Apologist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late-apologist-5624070/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Mischievous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischievous/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Our past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-past/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Popularity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popularity/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-late/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) [True character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-character/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of times when songwriters get together and write a song... somebody will come in with a hook and a lot of times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-jackson/a-lot-of-times-when-songwriters-get-together-and-write-a-song/) [Alan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-jackson/) > [“A bit lazy, perhaps. 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