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A man follows the path laid out for him. He does his duty…

“A man follows the path laid out for him. He does his duty to God and his King. He does what he must do, not what pleases him. God's truth, boy, what kind of world would this be if every man did what pleased him alone? Who would plough the fields and reap the harvest, if every man had the right to…” quote by Wilbur Smith
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“A man follows the path laid out for him. He does his duty to God and his King. He does what he must do, not what pleases him. God's truth, boy, what kind of world would this be if every man did what pleased him alone? Who would plough the fields and reap the harvest, if every man had the right to say, 'I don't want to do that.' In this world there is a place for every man, but every man must know his place.”

Wilbur Smith

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 argues that societal order depends on individuals fulfilling prescribed duties rather than personal desires.

In simple terms: Society needs people to do their jobs, not just follow personal wishes.

Key Takeaway

Accept responsibility for your role.

Themes

duty order social hierarchy

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • agriculture
  • military service
  • public administration
  • family roles

Key Concepts

individualism collectivism social contract

Questions to Reflect On

  • What duties do you consider essential in your community?
  • How do you balance personal desire with societal expectations?
A Different Perspective

If everyone acted solely on personal preference, essential tasks could be neglected.

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