Duty Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“True generosity is a duty as indispensably necessary as those imposed upon us by the law. It is a rule imposed upon us by reason, which should be the sovereign law of a rational being.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Citizen of the World, 1762
Generosity is presented as a moral duty, as essential as legal obligations, guided by reason rather than external enforcement.
In simple terms: Being generous is a rational responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Practice reasoned generosity.
Themes
ethics
reason
duty
law
morality
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- Charitable giving
- workplace ethics
- public policy
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
rational ethics
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What reasons drive your generosity?
- Can law enforce moral behavior?
A Different Perspective
Reason may conflict with personal desire to give.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
