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Rana's avatar

This was great, thanks Sam!

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Sam Rinko's avatar

Thanks Rana!

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Alexis Vale's avatar

Thank you. It's wild to realize how someone like Hamilton would feel like a completely extinct species today. In an age of constant whining about “not having time” because Netflix gets in the way, his level of self-discipline is almost mythical.

But as you make clear, even Hamilton relied more on systems than willpower. And that’s something that hasn’t changed at all since he was alive.

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Mark Canada, Ph.D.'s avatar

Thanks, Sam. Wow, Hamilton was certainly a dedicated and successful autodidact! I appreciate his interest in factoids, and I love this quotation from him: “Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have lies in this, when I have a subject in hand I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it in all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort that I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.” I have added this quotation to my own set of notes.

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David Bonsignore's avatar

Oops I meant to say, “polymath,” a good word, but I’d prefer Christian”

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David Bonsignore's avatar

Polymath; a good word

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Mariella Hunt's avatar

I don’t know much about Hamilton yet, but this has made me a fan for sure. Great post!

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