--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a responsibility in our time, as…" description: "\"We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history but to shape history, a responsibility to fill the r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg" --- # We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had… ![“We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history but to shape history, a responsibility to fill the role of path-finder, and to build with others a global network of purpose and law.” quote by Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg) > “We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history but to shape history, a responsibility to fill the role of path-finder, and to build with others a global network of purpose and law.” [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must actively shape the future rather than be constrained by past narratives, collaborating globally to create purposeful laws and networks. **In simple terms:** Actively shape the future, don’t just follow history. Key Takeaway Collaborate to build purposeful global frameworks. Themes leadership collaboration future‑building Mood determined optimistic Type inspirational political When to use this quote - policy development - international NGOs - community organizing - educational reform Key Concepts political agency global governance social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you influence your field’s direction? - What networks can you join to amplify purpose? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched systems can be slow and meet resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [I know I have a responsibility as a role model to children and I try to fulfill that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-balotelli/i-know-i-have-a-responsibility-as-a-role-model-to-children-and-i-try/) [Mario Balotelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-balotelli/) > [Another thing is, people lose perspective. It is a cultural trait in America to think in terms of very short time periods. My advice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-laduke/another-thing-is-people-lose-perspective-it-is-a-cultural-trait-in/) [Winona LaDuke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-laduke/) > [Crim has baggage: expectation, history, responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/crim-has-baggage-expectation-history-responsibility/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Yes, I do feel a deep responsibility every time, every character, everything that I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/yes-i-do-feel-a-deep-responsibility-every-time-every-character/) [Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/) > [Every department from the director to the art takes their time to set up, similarly as an actor it is your responsibility to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tripti-dimri/every-department-from-the-director-to-the-art-takes-their-time-to-set/) [Tripti Dimri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tripti-dimri/) > [“It’s time to care; it’s time to take responsibility; it’s time to lead; it’s time for a change; it’s time to be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/it-s-time-to-care-it-s-time-to-take-responsibility-it-s-time-to-lead/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [I had my daughter, and with that came a deep sense of responsibility; my time for work had become precious, and it had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-philo/i-had-my-daughter-and-with-that-came-a-deep-sense-of-responsibility/) [Phoebe Philo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-philo/) > [“The responsibility of our time is nothing less than a revolution. A revolution that would be peaceful if we are wise enough; humane if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy/the-responsibility-of-our-time-is-nothing-less-than-a-revolution-a/) [Robert F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy/) > [Now is the time to show maximum responsibility. It is not the time to pay off old scores nor for sterile partisan recriminations. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-napolitano/now-is-the-time-to-show-maximum-responsibility-it-is-not-the-time-to/) [Giorgio Napolitano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-napolitano/) > [A responsibility to be a role model as a father yes, as a man, as a public figure, yes. That responsibility just leads me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/a-responsibility-to-be-a-role-model-as-a-father-yes-as-a-man-as-a/) T.I > [I'm aware of the decisions I make and the responsibility I have as a role model. I wouldn't disregard that. It's a privilege. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-scott/i-m-aware-of-the-decisions-i-make-and-the-responsibility-i-have-as-a/) [Naomi Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-scott/) > [I believe one's responsibility as a role model begins and ends with their perception of what a good role model is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dove-cameron/i-believe-one-s-responsibility-as-a-role-model-begins-and-ends-with/) [Dove Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dove-cameron/) > [Each person on a team has a responsibility and a role, and knowing the value of each individual and what they bring to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-knight/each-person-on-a-team-has-a-responsibility-and-a-role-and-knowing-the/) [Hilary Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-knight/) > [I don't personally feel a responsibility to be a role model, but as the actor, I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-colfer/i-don-t-personally-feel-a-responsibility-to-be-a-role-model-but-as/) [Chris Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-colfer/) > [I think, for me, I've realized the responsibility of being a role model for young kids everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-holland/i-think-for-me-i-ve-realized-the-responsibility-of-being-a-role-model/) [Tom Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-holland/) ## More by Madeleine Albright > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [No matter how hard we might wish, we will not be able to transform China's behavior overnight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/no-matter-how-hard-we-might-wish-we-will-not-be-able-to-transform/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [There are a lot of similar aspects in all the religions. The question is which side of it you hold up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/there-are-a-lot-of-similar-aspects-in-all-the-religions-the-question/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [Whatever the job you are asked to do at whatever level, do a good job because your reputation is your resume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/whatever-the-job-you-are-asked-to-do-at-whatever-level-do-a-good-job/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I am often asked if, when I was secretary, I had problems with foreign men. That is not who I had problems with, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-am-often-asked-if-when-i-was-secretary-i-had-problems-with-foreign/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [Every new president inherits headaches, but President Obama has inherited an entire emergency room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/every-new-president-inherits-headaches-but-president-obama-has/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I am by nature a worried optimist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-am-by-nature-a-worried-optimist/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [If there's nobody in your way, you're not going anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/if-there-s-nobody-in-your-way-you-re-not-going-anywhere/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I can't imagine what it is like to be raised in a society where their only statues that exist are to you and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-can-t-imagine-what-it-is-like-to-be-raised-in-a-society-where-their/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I bought ... the pins with my three daughters in mind; the ships are beautiful, graceful, and moving along at full sail, having long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-bought-the-pins-with-my-three-daughters-in-mind-the-ships-are/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [“I also think it is important for women to help one another. I have a saying: There is a special place in hell for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-also-think-it-is-important-for-women-to-help-one-another-i-have-a/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [The capability of negotiating... is something that means you not only have to understand fully what you believe and what your national interests are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/the-capability-of-negotiating-is-something-that-means-you-not-only/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I know that war is very cruel and that life is harder when you aren't able to live in the place you called home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-know-that-war-is-very-cruel-and-that-life-is-harder-when-you-aren-t/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [Women are more than 50% of almost every country in the world. Countries rob themselves of the resources of women if they keep them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/women-are-more-than-50-of-almost-every-country-in-the-world-countries/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [What you have to be concerned about are the extremists. On the whole, we need to understand the more moderate Muslims before they become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/what-you-have-to-be-concerned-about-are-the-extremists-on-the-whole/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) [Explore all 248 Madeleine Albright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The NBA is my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/the-nba-is-my-history/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [What is history after all? History is facts which become lies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-is-history-after-all-history-is-facts-which-become-lies-in-the/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Things live and die, and then someone processes them into edible portions. This is a complete telling of the story, 'Food.' The basic plot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fahrenthold/things-live-and-die-and-then-someone-processes-them-into-edible/) [David Fahrenthold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fahrenthold/) > [History is a certain way, but you just change the point of view a little bit, and you discover a whole new side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/history-is-a-certain-way-but-you-just-change-the-point-of-view-a/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/) [Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) C-DASH > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [“To those great geniuses now in petticoats, who shall write novels for the beloved reader's children, these men and things will be as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-those-great-geniuses-now-in-petticoats-who-shall-write-novels-for/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) [Browse all 27,263 History quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history but to shape history, a responsibility to fill the role of path-finder, and to build with others a global network of purpose and law.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Madeleine Albright" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as-others-have-had-in-theirs-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "History" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as-others-have-had-in-theirs-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/madeleine-albright-1360_history_we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as_1330376.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history but to…” — Madeleine Albright", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Madeleine Albright", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have a responsibility in our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as-others-have-had-in-theirs-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/we-have-a-responsibility-in-our-time-as-others-have-had-in-theirs-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```