--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Public service must be more than doing a…" description: "\"Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.\" — Margaret Ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/538/margaret-chase-smith-17772_dedication_public-service-must-be-more-than-doing-a_1785740.png" --- # Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently… ![“Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” quote by Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/538/margaret-chase-smith-17772_dedication_public-service-must-be-more-than-doing-a_1785740.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/538/margaret-chase-smith-17772_dedication_public-service-must-be-more-than-doing-a_1785740.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/538/margaret-chase-smith-17772_dedication_public-service-must-be-more-than-doing-a_1785740.png) > “Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public service demands total dedication to citizens and nation, beyond mere efficiency and honesty. **In simple terms:** Serving the public requires full dedication, not just competence. Key Takeaway Commit wholly to serving people and country. Themes civic duty leadership integrity Mood inspirational serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - government work - community projects - national initiatives - public accountability Key Concepts public policy ethics Questions to Reflect On - What does true dedication look like in office? - How can officials balance efficiency with deep commitment? A Different Perspective May be idealistic in complex bureaucracies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dedication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Public service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-service/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) ## Related quotes > [My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/my-creed-is-that-public-service-must-be-more-than-doing-a-job/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [To be efficient means getting the job done in a smart, resourceful and timely way. To be effective means getting the right job done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leonard/to-be-efficient-means-getting-the-job-done-in-a-smart-resourceful-and/) [Thomas Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leonard/) > [“Do not let another day go by where your dedication to other people's opinions is greater than your dedication to your own emotions!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/do-not-let-another-day-go-by-where-your-dedication-to-other-people-s/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [I was an insecure young man. So my need for total dedication from the people I was working with was very great. Those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-was-an-insecure-young-man-so-my-need-for-total-dedication-from-the/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“So you want to improve the world? Then do it. To the next person who crosses your path, say something kind, do something generous,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/so-you-want-to-improve-the-world-then-do-it-to-the-next-person-who/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [The supreme test of service is this: For whom am I doing this? Much that we call service to Christ is not such at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/the-supreme-test-of-service-is-this-for-whom-am-i-doing-this-much/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [How can I be of the greatest service doing that which I most enjoy doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/how-can-i-be-of-the-greatest-service-doing-that-which-i-most-enjoy/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [You are not doing service for others. You are doing it always for yourselves, to the God in you, the God who is equally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-not-doing-service-for-others-you-are-doing-it-always-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Success has always been about contribution and service, about doing more than you’re paid to do, and outgrowing your current position and circumstances. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-frey/success-has-always-been-about-contribution-and-service-about-doing/) [Chuck Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-frey/) > [Being a professional means doing your job on the days you don't want to do it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-halberstam/being-a-professional-means-doing-your-job-on-the-days-you-don-t-want/) [David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-halberstam/) > [I am only doing my job, and if I score against Mark Hughes' team, it is nothing personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-only-doing-my-job-and-if-i-score-against-mark-hughes-team-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sergio Martinez is doing his job and I'm trying to do my part, and we want to be able to get some spotlight in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcos-maidana/sergio-martinez-is-doing-his-job-and-i-m-trying-to-do-my-part-and-we/) [Marcos Maidana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcos-maidana/) > [At the end of the day, it is about taking care of your family. Going out and doing the job like Stevie Ray would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t/at-the-end-of-the-day-it-is-about-taking-care-of-your-family-going/) [Booker T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t/) > [If you're doing a job that you love, why would you give it up?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-page/if-you-re-doing-a-job-that-you-love-why-would-you-give-it-up/) [Joanna Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-page/) > [My pleasure comes from doing my job in the best possible way. Whether it is at Chelsea or Juventus or Watford, it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianluca-vialli/my-pleasure-comes-from-doing-my-job-in-the-best-possible-way-whether/) [Gianluca Vialli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianluca-vialli/) ## More by Margaret Chase Smith > [Women administer the home. They set the rules, enforce them, mete out justice for violations. Thus, like Congress, they legislate; like the Executive, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/women-administer-the-home-they-set-the-rules-enforce-them-mete-out/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest. Surely we Republicans aren't that desperate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/i-don-t-believe-the-american-people-will-uphold-any-political-party/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [The American people are sick and tired of being afraid to speak their minds lest they be politically smeared as 'Communists' or 'Fascists' by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/the-american-people-are-sick-and-tired-of-being-afraid-to-speak-their/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [As long as there are big corporations, there will be big unions. The economic power of big business will be matched by the economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/as-long-as-there-are-big-corporations-there-will-be-big-unions-the/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny-fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/i-do-not-want-to-see-the-republican-party-ride-to-political-victory/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [The Senate has been debased to the level of a forum of hate and character assassination sheltered by the shield of congressional immunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/the-senate-has-been-debased-to-the-level-of-a-forum-of-hate-and/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [“Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/moral-cowardice-that-keeps-us-from-speaking-our-minds-is-as-dangerous/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [Strength, the American way, is not manifested by threats of criminal prosecution or police state methods. Leadership is not manifested by coercion, even against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/strength-the-american-way-is-not-manifested-by-threats-of-criminal/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [I speak as briefly as possible because too much harm has already been done with irresponsible words of bitterness and selfish political opportunism. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/i-speak-as-briefly-as-possible-because-too-much-harm-has-already-been/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/one-of-the-basic-causes-for-all-the-trouble-in-the-world-today-is/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [“Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/those-of-us-who-shout-the-loudest-about-americanism-in-making/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [Freedom unexercised may be freedom forfeited. The preservation of freedom is in the hands of the people themselves - not of the government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/freedom-unexercised-may-be-freedom-forfeited-the-preservation-of/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [I think that it is high time that we remembered that we have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution. I think that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/i-think-that-it-is-high-time-that-we-remembered-that-we-have-sworn-to/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/every-human-being-is-entitled-to-courtesy-and-consideration/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [Smears are not only to be expected but fought. Honor is to be earned, not bought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/smears-are-not-only-to-be-expected-but-fought-honor-is-to-be-earned/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) [Explore all 36 Margaret Chase Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) ## More Dedication quotes > [I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/i-know-the-importance-of-highly-trained-awareness-of-the-moment-and/) [Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/) > [Erase from your mind that your preparation must be perfect. Hard work + dedication = a shot at your dreams. Keep believing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-goucher/erase-from-your-mind-that-your-preparation-must-be-perfect-hard-work/) [Kara Goucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-goucher/) > [If you're going to preach dedication, work ethic, teamwork, unselfishness, and being part of a team to accomplish a common goal, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mullin/if-you-re-going-to-preach-dedication-work-ethic-teamwork/) [Chris Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mullin/) > [In many traditions, hawks are sacred: Apollo's messengers for the Greeks, sun symbols for the ancient Egyptians and, in the case of the Lakota…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnside/in-many-traditions-hawks-are-sacred-apollo-s-messengers-for-the/) [John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnside/) > [You'll know you're amazing when you get devoted to making other people amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-ll-know-you-re-amazing-when-you-get-devoted-to-making-other/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) Chris Kirubi > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [I probably should've listened to Michael a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-probably-should-ve-listened-to-michael-a-year-ago-when-he-said-that/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [To be an entrepreneur, it just takes a lot of persistence, dedication, and drive. No matter what happens, you have to be wiling to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeet-banerjee/to-be-an-entrepreneur-it-just-takes-a-lot-of-persistence-dedication/) [Jeet Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeet-banerjee/) > [U cant expect every1 to have as much dedication as u have..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/u-cant-expect-every1-to-have-as-much-dedication-as-u-have/) Hemantsmarty > [Now it is time to sit quiet, face to face with thee, and to sing dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/now-it-is-time-to-sit-quiet-face-to-face-with-thee-and-to-sing/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“To move forward, one need only take the first step,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-neill/to-move-forward-one-need-only-take-the-first-step/) Chase Neill > [Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-jean-king/natural-talent-only-determines-the-limits-of-your-athletic-potential/) [Billie Jean King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-jean-king/) > [I was at Mount Tamalpais near San Francisco hiking when a boulder came hurling down the mountainside and smashed my left hand. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/i-was-at-mount-tamalpais-near-san-francisco-hiking-when-a-boulder/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [“Everything on this earth belongs to God and therefore the more your dedication draws you closer to him, the more you will draw closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/everything-on-this-earth-belongs-to-god-and-therefore-the-more-your/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) [Browse all 1,006 Dedication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. 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