The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A duty to strive is the duty of us all. I felt a call to that duty.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
It is better to do one’s own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
It is easier to do one’s duty to others than to one’s self. If you do your duty to others, you are considered reliable. If you do your duty to yourself, you are considered selfish.
—Thomas Szasz (1920–2012) Hungarian-American Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst
Duty performed gives clearness and firmness to faith, and faith thus strengthened through duty becomes the more assured and satisfying to the soul.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
Is duty a mere sport, or an employ! Life an entrusted talent or a toy.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
When law and duty are one, united by religion, you never become fully conscious, fully aware of yourself. You are always a little less than an individual.
—Frank Herbert (1920–86) American Science Fiction Writer
No eulogy is due to him who simply does his duty and nothing more.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
It is surprising how practical duty enriches the fancy and the heart, and action clears and deepens the affections.
—James Martineau (1805–1900) English Philosopher, Religious Leader
It is wonderful what strength and boldness of purpose and energy will come from the feeling that we are in the way of duty.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
There is no mean work, save that which is sordidly selfish; no irreligious work, save that which is morally wrong; in every sphere of life the post of honor is the post of duty.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
God always has an angel of help for those who are willing to do their duty.
—Theodore L. Cuyler (1822–1909) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Writer
Duty cannot exist without faith.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Men do less than they ought, unless they do all that they can.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
No human being, man or woman, can act up to a sublime standard without giving offence.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, the last duty well done.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
Duty is ours; results are God’s.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
We must find our duties in what comes to us, not in what we imagine might have been.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Make it a point to do something every day that you don’t want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Duty. That which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Sufficient to each day are the duties to be done and the trials to be endured. God never built a Christian strong enough to carry today’s duties and tomorrow’s anxieties piled on the top of them.
—Theodore L. Cuyler (1822–1909) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Writer
All that any one of us has to do in this world is his simple duty. And an archangel could not do more than that to advantage.
—Henry Clay Trumbull (1830–1903) American Army Chaplain, Evangelist
Duty largely consists of pretending that the trivial is critical.
—John Fowles (1926–2005) English Novelist
New occasions teach new duties.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
But in his duty prompt at every call, he watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Make your life a mission—not an intermission.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
To keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. Water surrounds the lotus flower, but does not wet its petals.
—Buddhist Teaching
The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight; that he shall not be a mere passenger, but shall do his share in the work that each generation of us finds ready to hand; and, furthermore, that in doing his work he shall show, not only the capacity for sturdy self-help, but also self-respecting regard for the rights of others.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
We do not choose our own parts in life, and have nothing to do with selecting those parts. Our simple duty is confined to playing them well.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The first duty of love is to listen.
—Paul Tillich (1886–1965) American Lutheran Theologian, Philosopher