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Community Quote by John Winthrop

“For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man, we must entertain each other in brotherly affection, we must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness…” quote by John Winthrop
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““For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man, we must entertain each other in brotherly affection, we must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other, make others' conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace...We shall be as a city upon a hill.””

John Winthrop

About This Quote

Source Sermon: A Model of Christian Charity, John Winthrop, 1630

Communities must practice mutual support, humility, and shared purpose, fostering unity and collective responsibility as a moral society.

In simple terms: People should help each other and stay united.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate empathy and communal responsibility.

Themes

community unity service morality collective good

Mood

inspirational thoughtful communal

Type

ethical spiritual philosophical

When to use this quote

  • volunteering
  • team projects
  • neighborhood initiatives
  • faith groups

Key Concepts

social contract brotherly love shared purpose

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance personal freedom with communal duty?
  • What modern structures embody this unity?
A Different Perspective

Idealistic view may ignore individual autonomy.

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