Civic duty Quote by Fernando Pessoa
““Nothing irks me more than the vocabulary of social responsibility. The very word ‘duty’ is unpleasant to me, like an unwanted guest. But the terms ‘civic duty’, ‘solidarity’, ‘humanitarianism’ and others of the same ilk disgust me like rubbish dumped out of a window right on top of me. I’m offended by the implicit assumption that these expressions pertain to me, that I should find them worthwhile and even meaningful.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Book of Disquiet, Fernando Pessoa, 1913
The speaker despises the language of social responsibility, feeling it imposes unwanted obligations and feels intrusive.
In simple terms: He dislikes words that suggest duty and solidarity.
Key Takeaway
Question the language you use to describe obligations.
Themes
individualism
language
social pressure
Mood
irritated
skeptical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- public speaking
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
political discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel these terms ever inspire you?
- How might you reframe them positively?
A Different Perspective
Such terms can motivate collective action despite personal discomfort.
