The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Duty
Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles.
Ian Fleming Casino Royale · 1953

Quotes

“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · New England Reformers, 1844 · Primary source

“A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality.”

John F. Kennedy · Profiles in Courage, 1956 · Primary source

“Honor thy father and mother, i.e., live so as to be an honor to them when they are dead.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Would you live with ease, do what you ought, and not what you please.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“We cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individual. Toward this end, each of us must work toward his own highest development, accepting at the same time his share of responsibility in the general life of humanity—our particular duty being to help those to whom we feel we can be most useful.”

Marie Curie · Madame Curie: A Biography, 1938 · Secondary source

“You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Self-Reliance, 1841 · Primary source

“What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Self-Reliance, 1841 · Primary source

“Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up. Discharge your duties faithfully and well. Step by step you get ahead, but not necessarily in fast spurts. But you build discipline by preparing for fast spurts. Slug it out one inch at a time, day by day, and at the end of the day—if you live long enough—like most people, you will get out of life what you deserve.”

Charlie Munger · Poor Charlie’s Almanack, 2005 · Primary source

“Having the ability also means accepting the duty”

A.P. Møller · No reliable source

Works

Ian Fleming · 1966
Octopussy and The Living Daylights

Four James Bond stories exploring espionage, assassination, betrayal, intelligence work, and the consequences of past actions across varied international settings.

Read summary·Explore 2 quotes

Related Tags

Responsibility 27 Ability 1 Noblesse oblige 1 Maersk values 1 Parents 1 Family honour 1 Conduct 11 Legacy 2 Self-discipline 19 Desire 6 Self-development 5 Service 3 Human welfare 1 Human loyalty 1 Principles 3 Moral motivation 1 James Bond 17 Self-reliance 48 Moral autonomy 1 Independent judgement 7 Social pressure 6 Public opinion 5 Moral courage 5 Intrinsic reward 1 Integrity 19 Good work 1 Character 20 Conscience 12 Personal sacrifice 2 Discipline 18 Continuous improvement 6 Persistence 18 Espionage 8 Cold War 30 Short stories 2