Civic virtue Quote by Heinlein Robert A
““You. What is the moral difference, if any, between the soldier and the civilian?" "The difference," I answered carefully, "lies in the field of civic virtue. A soldier accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic of which he is a member, defending it, if need be, with his life. The civilian does not.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Starship Troopers, 1959
Soldiers embody civic virtue by risking life for the community, unlike civilians who lack that direct responsibility.
In simple terms: Soldiers accept personal responsibility for society.
Recognize the civic duty of defense.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Military service
- community volunteering
- public service
- political debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do civilians hold?
- How does civic virtue manifest beyond the battlefield?
Civilians also contribute to civic virtue in other ways.