--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have come to think that duty should…" description: "\"We have come to think that duty should come first. I disagree. Duty should be a by-product. Writing, the creative effort, the use of the imagination, s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg" --- # We have come to think that duty should come first. I… ![“We have come to think that duty should come first. I disagree. Duty should be a by-product. Writing, the creative effort, the use of the imagination, should come first – at least, for some part of every day of your life. It is a wonderful blessing if you use it. You will become happier, more…” quote by Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg) > “We have come to think that duty should come first. I disagree. Duty should be a by-product. Writing, the creative effort, the use of the imagination, should come first – at least, for some part of every day of your life. It is a wonderful blessing if you use it. You will become happier, more enlightened, alive, impassioned, light-hearted and generous to everybody else. Even your health will improve. Colds will disappear and all the other ailments of discouragement and boredom.” [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work should precede duty; imagination fuels happiness, health, and generosity. **In simple terms:** Imagination first, duty later. Key Takeaway Prioritize creative expression daily. Themes creativity wellbeing purpose health generosity Mood inspired optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - daily writing - art projects - mindful breaks - creative hobbies Key Concepts psychology self‑actualization holistic health Questions to Reflect On - How can you schedule creative time without abandoning duties? - What benefits have you noticed when you prioritize imagination? A Different Perspective Neglecting responsibilities can cause practical problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Blessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessing/) [Boredom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boredom/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Day Of Your Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-of-your-life/) [Disagree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disagree/) [Disagree Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disagree-duty-5066672/) [Disappear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappear/) [Discouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouragement/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Duty Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-come-460611/) [Duty Product](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-product-5066673/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Every day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-day/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Hearted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hearted/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light hearted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-hearted/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Think Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-duty-901006/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Pay no attention whatsoever to newspaper nonsense or criticism. Be sincere and do your duty. Everything will come all right. Truth must triumph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/pay-no-attention-whatsoever-to-newspaper-nonsense-or-criticism-be/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The great thing about our system of democracy is when they call you for jury duty, you have to come... It's an honor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-villaraigosa/the-great-thing-about-our-system-of-democracy-is-when-they-call-you/) [Antonio Villaraigosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-villaraigosa/) > [I am not afraid of a fight; I have to do my duty, come what may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/i-am-not-afraid-of-a-fight-i-have-to-do-my-duty-come-what-may/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) > [When we commit ourselves to writing for some part of each day, we are happier, more enlightened, alive, light-hearted and generous to everyone else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/when-we-commit-ourselves-to-writing-for-some-part-of-each-day-we-are/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [Write a true, careless, slovenly impulsive, honest diary every day of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/write-a-true-careless-slovenly-impulsive-honest-diary-every-day-of/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-think-it-s-the-duty-of-the-comedian-to-find-out-where-the-line-is/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I shall act as I think my duty requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-shall-act-as-i-think-my-duty-requires/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [I think we have a duty to maintain the light of consciousness to make sure it continues into the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/i-think-we-have-a-duty-to-maintain-the-light-of-consciousness-to-make/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [“It is an old and wise caution, that when our neighbor's house is on fire, we ought to take care of our own. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hamilton/it-is-an-old-and-wise-caution-that-when-our-neighbor-s-house-is-on/) [Andrew Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hamilton/) > [If you're in a situation where someone's mistreating you, I think it's your duty to speak out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelica-huston/if-you-re-in-a-situation-where-someone-s-mistreating-you-i-think-it-s/) [Anjelica Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelica-huston/) > [I must try to set aside half an hour in some part of my day, and consecrate it to diary writing. Give it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/i-must-try-to-set-aside-half-an-hour-in-some-part-of-my-day-and/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [In my time as defence secretary there are people who have felt that may be I have been outspoken on behalf of the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/in-my-time-as-defence-secretary-there-are-people-who-have-felt-that/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-that-i-will-do-whatsoever-i-think-to-be-most-to-god-s-glory/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [You would not think any duty small, If you yourself were great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-would-not-think-any-duty-small-if-you-yourself-were-great/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Have you ever noticed that when people say it is their duty to tell you a certain thing you may prepare for something disagreeable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-you-ever-noticed-that-when-people-say-it-is-their-duty-to-tell/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Brenda Ueland > [“At least I understood that writing was this: an impulse to share with other people a feeling or truth that I myself had. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/at-least-i-understood-that-writing-was-this-an-impulse-to-share-with/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [If I did not wear torn pants, orthopedic shoes, frantic disheveled hair, that is to say, if I did not tone down my beauty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/if-i-did-not-wear-torn-pants-orthopedic-shoes-frantic-disheveled-hair/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [“\[4It is hard to be carefree when you have many anxieties. But the more you have, the more necessary it is to feel carefree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/4it-is-hard-to-be-carefree-when-you-have-many-anxieties-but-the-more/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [“I will tell you what I have learned myself. For me, a long five- or six-mile walk helps. And one must go alone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/i-will-tell-you-what-i-have-learned-myself-for-me-a-long-five-or-six/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [Self-trust is so important. When you launch on a story, make your neck loose, feel free, good-natured. And be lazy. Feel that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/self-trust-is-so-important-when-you-launch-on-a-story-make-your-neck/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [We start out in our lives as little children, full of light and the clearest vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/we-start-out-in-our-lives-as-little-children-full-of-light-and-the/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [Inspiration comes to us slowly and quietly . prime it with a little solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/inspiration-comes-to-us-slowly-and-quietly-prime-it-with-a-little/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [... to paint with oil paints for the first time ... is like trying to make something exquisitely accurate and microscopically clear out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/to-paint-with-oil-paints-for-the-first-time-is-like-trying-to-make/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [running is the right thing to do! I am free, healthy with a good complexion. It is that automobile addict who should be ashamed:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/running-is-the-right-thing-to-do-i-am-free-healthy-with-a-good/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [The only good teachers for you are those friends who love you, who think you are interesting, or very important, or wonderfully funny; whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/the-only-good-teachers-for-you-are-those-friends-who-love-you-who/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [... when I am really alone some power seems to grow in me. ... Conjugality made me think of a three-legged race, where two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/when-i-am-really-alone-some-power-seems-to-grow-in-me-conjugality/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [“In the same way there is much, much in all of us, but we do not know it. No one ever calls it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/in-the-same-way-there-is-much-much-in-all-of-us-but-we-do-not-know-it/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/when-we-are-listened-to-it-creates-us-makes-us-unfold-and-expand/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [“...the best way to know the Truth or Beauty is to try to express it. And what is the purpose of existence Here or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/the-best-way-to-know-the-truth-or-beauty-is-to-try-to-express-it-and/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [Sometimes I think of life as a process where everybody is discouraging and taking everybody else down a peg or two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/sometimes-i-think-of-life-as-a-process-where-everybody-is/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) [Explore all 121 Brenda Ueland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have come to think that duty should come first. I disagree. Duty should be a by-product. Writing, the creative effort, the use of the imagination, should come first – at least, for some part of every day of your life. It is a wonderful blessing if you use it. You will become happier, more enlightened, alive, impassioned, light-hearted and generous to everybody else. Even your health will improve. Colds will disappear and all the other ailments of discouragement and boredom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brenda Ueland" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-come-first-i-disagree-duty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-come-first-i-disagree-duty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/brenda-ueland-3836_alive_we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-c_2238729.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have come to think that duty should come first. I disagree. Duty should be a by-product. Writing, the…” — Brenda Ueland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brenda Ueland", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have come to think that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-come-first-i-disagree-duty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/we-have-come-to-think-that-duty-should-come-first-i-disagree-duty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```