--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am out here to work, mind, to hold this…" description: "\"“I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I'm not a missionary or a Labour Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic litera..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/e-m-forster-2-1148_career_i-am-out-here-to-work-mind-to-hold-this_2037465.jpg" --- # I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country… ![“I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I'm not a missionary or a Labour Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic literary man. I'm just a servant of the Government; it's the profession you wanted me to choose myself, and that's that. We're not pleasant in India, and…” quote by E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/e-m-forster-2-1148_career_i-am-out-here-to-work-mind-to-hold-this_2037465.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/e-m-forster-2-1148_career_i-am-out-here-to-work-mind-to-hold-this_2037465.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/e-m-forster-2-1148_career_i-am-out-here-to-work-mind-to-hold-this_2037465.jpg) > ““I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I'm not a missionary or a Labour Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic literary man. I'm just a servant of the Government; it's the profession you wanted me to choose myself, and that's that. We're not pleasant in India, and we don't intend to be pleasant. We've something more important to do.”” [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A servant of the state asserts duty over sentiment, emphasizing harsh governance in India. **In simple terms:** Duty to government over personal sentiment. Key Takeaway Consider the moral cost of blind service. Themes politics colonialism duty Mood serious critical Type political historical When to use this quote - colonial administration - military command - public service Key Concepts realpolitik ethical leadership Questions to Reflect On - Is service without compassion justified? - What responsibilities do officials have to the people? A Different Perspective Blind duty can ignore human suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [When government gets too big, freedom is lost. Government is supposed to be the servant. 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