Pittacus of Mytilene Quotes

Consult duty not events.

It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.

We all know our duty better than we discharge it.

There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought.

It is a sin not to do what one is capable of doing.

There is no truth without responsibility following in its wake.

To be a man is, precisely, to be responsible.

Rights that do not flow from duty well performed are not worth having.

I have done what I felt to be my duty.

The only immorality is not to do what one has to do when one has to do it.

In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.

Anything which tends to bring a greater sense of responsibility to individuals should be encouraged.

We have, all of us, our duties. Every action of our lives, and every word that we utter, will either conduce to or detract from the discharge of our duty.

Duty is the essence of manhood.

Duty, then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.

Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms.

What then is your duty? What the day demands.

When duty calls, that is when character counts.

Duty is the demand of the hour.

Let him who gropes painfully in darkness or uncertain light, and prays vehemently that the dawn may ripen into day, lay this precept well to heart: "Do the duty which lies nearest to thee," which thou know to be a duty! Thy second duty will already have become clearer.

I shall do everything it becomes me to do.

We need to restore the full meaning of that old word, duty. It is the other side of rights.

It is the duty of man to raise up man.

We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible.