Big fan Quote by Martha C. Nussbaum
“I am a very big fan of the nation, actually. In Cicero's time, there was this idea that although we were members of the whole world of human beings, we also needed to connect our imaginations to a smaller unit. The smaller unit was something we knew we could live or die for, as Cicero died for the Roman republic.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Fragility of Goodness, Martha Nussbaum, 1986
Human beings belong to a global community yet also need a concrete, local identity that gives life meaning and purpose.
In simple terms: We need both universal belonging and a specific community to feel alive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate local ties while honoring global humanity.
Themes
identity
community
globalism
politics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- local politics
- civic engagement
- education
- family life
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance global responsibility with local loyalty?
- What risks arise when local identity dominates?
A Different Perspective
Local attachments can become exclusionary or conflict with universal values.
![“I'm a big fan of [Frank] Sinatra, he was the best at what he did. The last thing I do is model my career after him, though, because we do different things. He was a great singer and a great actor ... It never crossed my mind to emulate his career, because we have different interests.” quote by Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb9/harry-connick-jr-3461_actors_i-m-a-big-fan-of-frank-sinatra-he-was-th_12425.jpg)
