--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why should we put ourselves out of our…" description: "\"Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything for posterity? For what has posterity ever done for us?\" — Boyle Roche" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86f/boyle-roche-27911_done_why-should-we-put-ourselves-out-of-our-w_578965.jpg" --- # Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything… ![“Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything for posterity? For what has posterity ever done for us?” quote by Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86f/boyle-roche-27911_done_why-should-we-put-ourselves-out-of-our-w_578965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86f/boyle-roche-27911_done_why-should-we-put-ourselves-out-of-our-w_578965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86f/boyle-roche-27911_done_why-should-we-put-ourselves-out-of-our-w_578965.jpg) > “Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything for posterity? For what has posterity ever done for us?” [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We should not sacrifice ourselves for future generations that have never helped us. **In simple terms:** Question the value of self‑sacrifice for unknown future. Key Takeaway Consider present‑focused purpose. Themes ethics legacy self‑interest Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - philanthropy - environmental activism Key Concepts intergenerational responsibility existentialism altruism Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to act for future generations? - Is personal sacrifice justified without guaranteed return? A Different Perspective Future benefits are uncertain; present actions may be more tangible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [What artists call posterity is the posterity of the work of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/what-artists-call-posterity-is-the-posterity-of-the-work-of-art/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [“The noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men, which have sought to express the image of their minds, where those of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-noblest-works-and-foundations-have-proceeded-from-childless-men-2/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/why-should-i-care-about-posterity-what-s-posterity-ever-done-for-me/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [Few can be induced to labor exclusively for posterity - Posterity has done nothing for us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/few-can-be-induced-to-labor-exclusively-for-posterity-posterity-has/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Herodotus is not more indisputably the father of history than is Sir Boyle Roche the father of Bulls. No doubt there were makers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/herodotus-is-not-more-indisputably-the-father-of-history-than-is-sir/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Society takes what it wants. The artist himself does not count, because there is no actual existence for the work of art. The work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/society-takes-what-it-wants-the-artist-himself-does-not-count-because/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [The principle office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-principle-office-of-history-i-take-to-be-this-to-prevent-virtuous/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Convinced that the republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/convinced-that-the-republican-is-the-only-form-of-government-which-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [May posterity show mercy when it look back upon the work we do today. We did what we could with what we had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/may-posterity-show-mercy-when-it-look-back-upon-the-work-we-do-today/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [“Et peut-être la posterité me saura gré de lui avoir fait connaître que les Anciens n’ont pas tout su. ( And perhaps, posterity will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-fermat/et-peut-tre-la-posterit-me-saura-gr-de-lui-avoir-fait-conna-tre-que/) [Pierre De Fermat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-fermat/) > [So true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/so-true-is-it-that-all-transactions-of-preeminent-importance-are/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [You have power over my body but the Lord Jesus hath power over my body and soul; and assure yourselves thus much, you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hutchinson/you-have-power-over-my-body-but-the-lord-jesus-hath-power-over-my/) [Anne Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hutchinson/) > [We are always doing something for posterity, but I would fain see posterity do something for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/we-are-always-doing-something-for-posterity-but-i-would-fain-see/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) ## More by Boyle Roche > [The only thing to prevent what's past is to put a stop to it before it happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/the-only-thing-to-prevent-what-s-past-is-to-put-a-stop-to-it-before/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Ireland and England are like two sisters; I would have them embrace like one brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/ireland-and-england-are-like-two-sisters-i-would-have-them-embrace/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [I answer in the affirmative with an emphatic 'No.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/i-answer-in-the-affirmative-with-an-emphatic-no/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [There is no Levitical decree between nations, and on this occasion I can see neither sin nor shame in marrying our own sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/there-is-no-levitical-decree-between-nations-and-on-this-occasion-i/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Every pint bottle should contain a quart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/every-pint-bottle-should-contain-a-quart/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [At present there are such goings-on that everything is at a standstill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/at-present-there-are-such-goings-on-that-everything-is-at-a-standstill/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Herodotus is not more indisputably the father of history than is Sir Boyle Roche the father of Bulls. No doubt there were makers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/herodotus-is-not-more-indisputably-the-father-of-history-than-is-sir/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [P.S. If you do not receive this, of course it must have been miscarried; therefore I beg you to write and let me know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/p-s-if-you-do-not-receive-this-of-course-it-must-have-been-miscarried/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [A quart bottle should hold a quart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/a-quart-bottle-should-hold-a-quart/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [We should silence anyone who opposes the right to freedom of speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/we-should-silence-anyone-who-opposes-the-right-to-freedom-of-speech/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [How can I be in two places at once, unless I were a bird?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/how-can-i-be-in-two-places-at-once-unless-i-were-a-bird/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [While I write this letter, I have a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/while-i-write-this-letter-i-have-a-pistol-in-one-hand-and-a-sword-in/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [A man could not be in two places at the same time unless he were a bird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/a-man-could-not-be-in-two-places-at-the-same-time-unless-he-were-a/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [All along the untrodden paths of the future, I can see the footprints of an unseen hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/all-along-the-untrodden-paths-of-the-future-i-can-see-the-footprints/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Mr Speaker, I smell a rat; I see him forming in the air and darkening the sky; but I will nip him in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/mr-speaker-i-smell-a-rat-i-see-him-forming-in-the-air-and-darkening/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) [Explore all 20 Boyle Roche quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) ## More Done quotes > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. 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