--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must not in the course of public life…" description: "\"We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere throu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/benjamin-franklin-65_abuse_we-must-not-in-the-course-of-public-life_2714757.png" --- # We must not in the course of public life expect immediate… ![“We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere through abuse and even injury. The internal satisfaction of a good conscience is always present, and time will do us justice in the minds of the people…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/benjamin-franklin-65_abuse_we-must-not-in-the-course-of-public-life_2714757.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/benjamin-franklin-65_abuse_we-must-not-in-the-course-of-public-life_2714757.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/benjamin-franklin-65_abuse_we-must-not-in-the-course-of-public-life_2714757.png) > “We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere through abuse and even injury. The internal satisfaction of a good conscience is always present, and time will do us justice in the minds of the people, even those at present the most prejudiced against us.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public service may lack immediate praise, but perseverance and conscience bring eventual justice. **In simple terms:** Patience and integrity outweigh short‑term recognition. Key Takeaway Stay patient, act with integrity. Themes public service perseverance justice Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - politics - community work - advocacy - long‑term projects Key Concepts civic duty moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain motivation without applause? - What role does conscience play in your work? A Different Perspective Immediate results may be needed for morale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Acknowledgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injury/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Public life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-life/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/) ## Related quotes > [“Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no ambition corrupt thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/let-no-pleasure-tempt-thee-no-profit-allure-thee-no-ambition-corrupt/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [A good conscience is a continual Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/a-good-conscience-is-a-continual-christmas/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [A good conscience is a soft pillow, meaning you sleep well when you have nothing to feel guilty about](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-nwakama/a-good-conscience-is-a-soft-pillow-meaning-you-sleep-well-when-you/) [Anne Nwakama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-nwakama/) > [Most people sell their souls, and live with a good conscience on the proceeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-pearsall-smith/most-people-sell-their-souls-and-live-with-a-good-conscience-on-the/) [Logan Pearsall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-pearsall-smith/) > [“... a good conscience is never lawless in the worst regulated state, and will provide those laws for itself, which the neglect of legislators…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-good-conscience-is-never-lawless-in-the-worst-regulated-state-and/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [The reward of a good conscience does not go to its owner but to those he loves and who love him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reward-of-a-good-conscience-does-not-go-to-its-owner-but-to-those/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Keep a clear conscience. Contentment is the manna that is laid up in the ark of a good conscience: O take heed of indulging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/keep-a-clear-conscience-contentment-is-the-manna-that-is-laid-up-in/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [We lie to ourselves in order that we may still have the excuse of ignorance, the alibi of stupidity and incomprehension, possessing which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/we-lie-to-ourselves-in-order-that-we-may-still-have-the-excuse-of/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Science and art are only too often a superior kind of dope, possessing this advantage over booze and morphia: that they can be indulged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/science-and-art-are-only-too-often-a-superior-kind-of-dope-possessing/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [A good conscience and a good confidence go together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/a-good-conscience-and-a-good-confidence-go-together/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [No one talks more passionately about his rights than he who in the depths of his soul doubts whether he has any. By enlisting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/no-one-talks-more-passionately-about-his-rights-than-he-who-in-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I think God asks us to promise to replenish the planet and to pay 100% attention to our young so that they will develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-gossett-jr/i-think-god-asks-us-to-promise-to-replenish-the-planet-and-to-pay-100/) [Louis Gossett, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-gossett-jr/) > [“There is a unique pleasure in obedience. The answer of a good conscience brings into the heart a peace and satisfaction that nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-andreola/there-is-a-unique-pleasure-in-obedience-the-answer-of-a-good/) Karen Andreola > [“Faith is a good conscience of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/faith-is-a-good-conscience-of-god/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Thou knowest that these things which I say are true, and that I was never delighted in my own praise, for the secret of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boethius-d-524/thou-knowest-that-these-things-which-i-say-are-true-and-that-i-was/) Boethius D. 524 ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere through abuse and even injury. 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