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I am terribly glad to be alive; and when I have wit enough…

“I am terribly glad to be alive; and when I have wit enough to think about it, terribly proud to be a man and an American, with all the rights and privileges that those words connote; and most of all I am humble before the responsibilities that are also mine. For no right comes without a…” quote by Wallace Stegner
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“I am terribly glad to be alive; and when I have wit enough to think about it, terribly proud to be a man and an American, with all the rights and privileges that those words connote; and most of all I am humble before the responsibilities that are also mine. For no right comes without a responsibility, and being born luckier than most of the world's millions, I am also born more obligated.”

Wallace Stegner

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Rights bring responsibilities; privilege demands humility and duty to others.

In simple terms: Rights require responsibility.

Key Takeaway

Honor duties that accompany your freedoms.

Themes

rights responsibility humility

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • citizenship
  • leadership
  • volunteering

Key Concepts

civic duty social contract ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What responsibilities do you feel from your freedoms?
  • How can you serve others with your privileges?
A Different Perspective

Privilege can breed entitlement if not checked.

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