--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am not the President. Instead, I hold…" description: "\"I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher office, that of citizen of the United States.\" — Martin Sheen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg" --- # I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher… ![“I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher office, that of citizen of the United States.” quote by Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg) > “I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher office, that of citizen of the United States.” [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizenship holds greater responsibility than any political title, emphasizing civic duty over authority. **In simple terms:** Being a citizen is a higher calling. Key Takeaway Serve your community first. Themes civic duty humility leadership Mood inspirational thoughtful Type political motivational When to use this quote - voting - community volunteering - public advocacy - local governance Key Concepts political philosophy ethics social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to be an active citizen? - How can individuals influence policy without office? A Different Perspective Political power can still influence change; dismissing it may limit impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizen/) [Citizen United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizen-united-1957549/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-office-2073152/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Office Citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office-citizen-704210/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-instead-2777822/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [In a democracy, the most important office is the office of citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/in-a-democracy-the-most-important-office-is-the-office-of-citizen/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [After living and working in Milan and Paris, I arrived in New York City 20 years ago, and I saw both the joys and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melania-trump/after-living-and-working-in-milan-and-paris-i-arrived-in-new-york/) [Melania Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melania-trump/) > [Once it was clear that Donald Trump would be president instead of Hillary Clinton, I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to gather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/once-it-was-clear-that-donald-trump-would-be-president-instead-of/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [As a citizen of the United States, I am ready, willing, and able to bear arms for this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-korematsu/as-a-citizen-of-the-united-states-i-am-ready-willing-and-able-to-bear/) [Fred Korematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-korematsu/) > [President Trump ought to realize, he's not campaigning anymore. He's president. And instead of talking about how many people showed up at his inauguration,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/president-trump-ought-to-realize-he-s-not-campaigning-anymore-he-s/) [Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/) > [I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hart/i-think-there-is-one-higher-office-than-president-and-i-would-call/) [Gary Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hart/) > [I don't care how popular I am. I'm not putting myself out there to run for higher office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-don-t-care-how-popular-i-am-i-m-not-putting-myself-out-there-to-run/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [I have a very high opinion of Steve King and his ability, so I would encourage him to consider any position for higher office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-have-a-very-high-opinion-of-steve-king-and-his-ability-so-i-would/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [“I am a citizen of this country,” I declare, “and Mr. Mayor, tonight I will be a citizen of this city when I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-ash/i-am-a-citizen-of-this-country-i-declare-and-mr-mayor-tonight-i-will/) [Jerry Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-ash/) > [To be a good citizen, it's important to be able to put yourself in other people's shoes and see the big picture. If everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-pariser/to-be-a-good-citizen-it-s-important-to-be-able-to-put-yourself-in/) [Eli Pariser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-pariser/) > [Individuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving to the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as comports with order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/individuality-is-the-aim-of-political-liberty-by-leaving-to-the/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [“An anarchist government somehow creates an impression in the hearts of citizens that no one cares.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-anarchist-government-somehow-creates-an-impression-in-the-hearts/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) ## More by Martin Sheen > [My first civil disobedience arrest for social justice was in 1986 for protesting the SDI.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/my-first-civil-disobedience-arrest-for-social-justice-was-in-1986-for/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I don't think abortion is a good idea. I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-don-t-think-abortion-is-a-good-idea-i-personally-am-opposed-to/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I just think that the only way we come to ourselves is through each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-just-think-that-the-only-way-we-come-to-ourselves-is-through-each/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that regard because I am not a woman and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-personally-am-opposed-to-abortion-but-i-will-not-judge-anybody-else/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [We don't choose a life, we live one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/we-don-t-choose-a-life-we-live-one/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [The most satisfying thing in my life and my career is to work with my children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/the-most-satisfying-thing-in-my-life-and-my-career-is-to-work-with-my/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [Childhood hunger in America is as much a paradox as it is a tragedy. Why, in the wealthiest country in the world, should hunger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/childhood-hunger-in-america-is-as-much-a-paradox-as-it-is-a-tragedy/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [On the show, we are not trying to get people to eat their vegetables; we are not trying to get people to become Democrats.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/on-the-show-we-are-not-trying-to-get-people-to-eat-their-vegetables/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [You are equally responsible for your place in the culture, and you must make a contribution, and you must accept responsibility for what goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/you-are-equally-responsible-for-your-place-in-the-culture-and-you/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [I don't think that people in America are really given enough information about the Third World.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-don-t-think-that-people-in-america-are-really-given-enough/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [This supposed idyllic society we have is the most confused, warped, addicted society in the history of the world. We are addicted to power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/this-supposed-idyllic-society-we-have-is-the-most-confused-warped/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [When I reached adulthood, even now, I could afford to belong to a country club. But I could never belong to a private club…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/when-i-reached-adulthood-even-now-i-could-afford-to-belong-to-a/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [The key word about The West Wing is show. It is not a reality show. It has nothing to do with reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/the-key-word-about-the-west-wing-is-show-it-is-not-a-reality-show-it/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [Don't invade Iraq. Inspections work, war won't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/don-t-invade-iraq-inspections-work-war-won-t/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) > [What we try to say is that it doesn't matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat or conservative or independent. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/what-we-try-to-say-is-that-it-doesn-t-matter-if-you-are-a-republican/) [Martin Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) [Explore all 90 Martin Sheen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/) ## More Citizen quotes > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I'm less concerned about whether being a good corporate citizen burnishes a company's reputation. That's just an added benefit. I believe it's a responsibility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/i-m-less-concerned-about-whether-being-a-good-corporate-citizen/) [Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [The typical American citizen is the business man. The typical business man is a bad citizen; he is busy. If he is a 'big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/the-typical-american-citizen-is-the-business-man-the-typical-business/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) > [I am here, a citizen of this country, and I'm saying, 'Hey, the system failed me. I am a good citizen. I contribute to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/i-am-here-a-citizen-of-this-country-and-i-m-saying-hey-the-system/) [Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/) > [“An anarchist government somehow creates an impression in the hearts of citizens that no one cares.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-anarchist-government-somehow-creates-an-impression-in-the-hearts/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [If the many allegations made to this date are true, then the burglars who broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ervin/if-the-many-allegations-made-to-this-date-are-true-then-the-burglars/) [Sam Ervin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ervin/) > [Individuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving to the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as comports with order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/individuality-is-the-aim-of-political-liberty-by-leaving-to-the/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [Up until the point that you're a citizen, we wanna continue to make sure we understand who you are and why you're here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirstjen-nielsen/up-until-the-point-that-you-re-a-citizen-we-wanna-continue-to-make/) [Kirstjen Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirstjen-nielsen/) > [To be a good citizen, it's important to be able to put yourself in other people's shoes and see the big picture. If everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-pariser/to-be-a-good-citizen-it-s-important-to-be-able-to-put-yourself-in/) [Eli Pariser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-pariser/) > [“I am a citizen of this country,” I declare, “and Mr. Mayor, tonight I will be a citizen of this city when I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-ash/i-am-a-citizen-of-this-country-i-declare-and-mr-mayor-tonight-i-will/) [Jerry Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-ash/) > [“In a country of ideas, consciousness is its' citizen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/in-a-country-of-ideas-consciousness-is-its-citizen/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth; I am a citizen of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/i-have-no-country-to-fight-for-my-country-is-the-earth-i-am-a-citizen/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) [Browse all 464 Citizen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizen/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher office, that of citizen of the United States.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Sheen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an-even-higher-office-that-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizen" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an-even-higher-office-that-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/martin-sheen-7550_citizen_i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an_739584.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am not the President. Instead, I hold an even higher office, that of citizen of the United States.” — Martin Sheen", "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": "Martin Sheen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sheen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am not the President. Instead,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an-even-higher-office-that-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sheen/i-am-not-the-president-instead-i-hold-an-even-higher-office-that-of/#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 } } ] } ```