This article discusses one of the most important prescriptions of the founders for the protection of the republic: the desire of honorable people for `fame. "It considers the proposition that we have placed too much emphasis upon the purely structural considerations of the founders over and above their deep concern for the internal qualities of character of public servants. The arguments of Douglass Adair regarding fame are expanded upon. Using Adam Smith, it is argued that the value of fame lies in the moral obligation to be fame-worthy.
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