I acknowledge that such a debt [of service to my…
![“I acknowledge that such a debt [of service to my fellow-citizens] exists, that a tour of duty in whatever line he can be most useful to his country, is due from every individual. It is not easy perhaps to say of what length exactly that tour should be, but we may safely say of what length it…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/526/thomas-jefferson-43_acknowledge_i-acknowledge-that-such-a-debt-of-servic_2508145.jpg)
“I acknowledge that such a debt [of service to my fellow-citizens] exists, that a tour of duty in whatever line he can be most useful to his country, is due from every individual. It is not easy perhaps to say of what length exactly that tour should be, but we may safely say of what length it should not be. Not of our whole life, for instance, for that would be to be born a slave-not even of a very large portion of it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote expresses that each person owes a duty of service to their country, but it should not consume their entire life, avoiding a life of servitude.
In simple terms: Everyone should serve their country, but not all the time.
Key Takeaway
Balance civic duty with personal freedom.
Themes
civic duty
freedom
balance
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public service
- career planning
- volunteer work
- citizenship education
Key Concepts
social contract
personal liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- How much of your life should be devoted to public service?
- What limits protect personal freedom?
A Different Perspective
Too much service can become oppressive, limiting personal growth.