Capacity Quote by Joseph Butler
“Every man is to be considered in two capacities, the private and public; as designed to pursue his own interest, and likewise to contribute to the good of others.”
About This Quote
Individuals operate in private and public spheres, balancing personal interests with responsibilities toward the common good.
In simple terms: We have personal and societal roles, serving self and others.
Key Takeaway
Dual capacities require harmonizing self‑interest and communal duty.
Themes
ethics
society
individualism
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
normative
When to use this quote
- making decisions at work that affect coworkers
- voting on public policy
- volunteering while managing personal goals
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social contract
Practical Applications
- reflect on how private choices impact public welfare
- align personal goals with community benefit
Questions to Reflect On
- When does personal ambition become harmful to society?
- How can we measure contribution to the common good?
A Different Perspective
Tension between self‑interest and collective good can lead to conflict without clear guidelines.
![“We have learned to say that the good must be extended to all of society before it can be held secure by any one person or any one class. But we have not yet learned to add to that statement, that unless all [people] and all classes contribute to a good, we cannot even be sure that it is worth…” quote by Jane Addams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/072/jane-addams-6111_add_we-have-learned-to-say-that-the-good-mus_1740252.jpg)
