Applause Quote by James Otis
“The only principles of public conduct that are worthy of a gentleman or a man are to sacrifice estate, ease, health, and applause, and even life, to the sacred calls of his country.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Revolutionary Era, 1765
True honor requires sacrificing personal comforts for national duty.
In simple terms: Sacrifice self for country.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize civic duty.
Themes
honor
service
patriotism
Mood
serious
determined
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- military service
- public office
- activism
- community leadership
Key Concepts
social contract
ethical sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What duties call you to sacrifice?
- How do you balance self‑care with service?
A Different Perspective
Excessive sacrifice can harm personal well‑being.
![“I know that [civilized men] do nothing but boast incessantly of the peace and repose they enjoy in their chains… But when I see [barbarous man] sacrifice pleasures, repose, wealth, power, and life itself for the preservation of this sole good which is so disdained by those who have lost it; when I…” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b98/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_born-free_i-know-that-civilized-men-do-nothing-but_1084258.jpg)
![“[The passage of the Sugar Act] set people a thinking, in six months, more than they had done in their whole lives before.” quote by James Otis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7bf/james-otis-16854_american-revolution_the-passage-of-the-sugar-act-set-people_294963.jpg)
![“All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was [Offers bored applause.] After the show aired? I came out - "Rob Lowe!" - and the place was, like, bedlam. And then the next week, they wouldn't let anyone under the age of 20 into the audience. And I'm going, "So that's…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66b/rob-lowe-855_age_all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d_31307.jpg)
