--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every man, in proportion to his virtue…" description: "\"Every man, in proportion to his virtue, considers himself, with respect to the great community of mankind, as the steward and guardian of their interes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_chance_every-man-in-proportion-to-his-virtue-co_2642538.jpg" --- # Every man, in proportion to his virtue, considers himself… ![“Every man, in proportion to his virtue, considers himself, with respect to the great community of mankind, as the steward and guardian of their interests in the property which he chances to possess. Every man, in proportion to his wisdom, sees the manner in which it is his duty to employ the…” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_chance_every-man-in-proportion-to-his-virtue-co_2642538.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_chance_every-man-in-proportion-to-his-virtue-co_2642538.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_chance_every-man-in-proportion-to-his-virtue-co_2642538.jpg) > “Every man, in proportion to his virtue, considers himself, with respect to the great community of mankind, as the steward and guardian of their interests in the property which he chances to possess. Every man, in proportion to his wisdom, sees the manner in which it is his duty to employ the resources which the consent of mankind has intrusted to his discretion.” [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Individuals should act as responsible caretakers of shared resources, guided by virtue and wisdom. **In simple terms:** People must responsibly manage what they have. Key Takeaway Guard shared resources wisely. Themes responsibility virtue wisdom stewardship Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - community projects - environmental policy - corporate governance Key Concepts ethical leadership social contract resource management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal gain with communal duty? - What virtues guide your resource decisions? A Different Perspective Idealism may ignore practical constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Discretion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guardian/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Christians should seek the best information available about the earth over which we have been appointed stewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-j-moo/christians-should-seek-the-best-information-available-about-the-earth/) [Douglas J. Moo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-j-moo/) > [The steward, according to custom, had stopped all the clocks. This, in the language of Narouz, said "Your stay with us is so brief,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-durrell/the-steward-according-to-custom-had-stopped-all-the-clocks-this-in/) [Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/) > [If I have enough for myself and family, I am steward only for myself; if I have more, I am but a steward of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-i-have-enough-for-myself-and-family-i-am-steward-only-for-myself/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [I've come to understand my role. On some level, I provide the context for them to shine. I also know my role is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-mattea/i-ve-come-to-understand-my-role-on-some-level-i-provide-the-context/) [Kathy Mattea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-mattea/) > [“We must always remember that duty reminds us we are stewards of all that our Creator has entrusted to us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/we-must-always-remember-that-duty-reminds-us-we-are-stewards-of-all/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Generosity helps us make a concerted effort to keep the needs of others in the forefront of our thinking. Rich people should not feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/generosity-helps-us-make-a-concerted-effort-to-keep-the-needs-of/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Preachers are stewards whom the Lord has ‘set over his household servants to provide them with food at the proper time.’ After all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/preachers-are-stewards-whom-the-lord-has-set-over-his-household/) [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) > [Our great presidents have been stewards, men who broadly identified with the whole of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-steele/our-great-presidents-have-been-stewards-men-who-broadly-identified/) [Shelby Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-steele/) > [I learned that a healthy society is made up of loving, trusting individuals, and that these individuals in turn protect their environment, become stewards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lim/i-learned-that-a-healthy-society-is-made-up-of-loving-trusting/) [Robin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lim/) > [Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God that he has entrusted to our care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/our-time-on-earth-and-our-energy-intelligence-opportunities/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited. All of us have to share the Earth's fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/let-us-be-good-stewards-of-the-earth-we-inherited-all-of-us-have-to/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Nature surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/nature-surrounds-us-from-parks-and-backyards-to-streets-and-alleyways/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [“Leaders are chosen stewards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/leaders-are-chosen-stewards/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed to adopt a steward's mentality toward the assets He had entrusted - not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/if-god-was-the-owner-i-was-the-manager-i-needed-to-adopt-a-steward-s/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [We needed a "psychenaut" program to be the opposite of the astronaut program in order to explore the enormous domains and dimensions of inner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-houston/we-needed-a-psychenaut-program-to-be-the-opposite-of-the-astronaut/) [Jean Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-houston/) ## More by Percy Bysshe Shelley > [The everlasting universe of things Flows through the mind, and rolls its rapid waves, Now dark--now glittering--now reflecting gloom-- Now lending splendour, where from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-everlasting-universe-of-things-flows-through-the-mind-and-rolls/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The quick Dreams, The passion-winged Ministers of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-quick-dreams-the-passion-winged-ministers-of-thought/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/hail-to-thee-blithe-spirit/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The jealous keys of truth's eternal doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-jealous-keys-of-truth-s-eternal-doors/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Though we eat little flesh and drink no wine, Yet let's be merry; we'll have tea and toast; Custards for supper, and an endless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/though-we-eat-little-flesh-and-drink-no-wine-yet-let-s-be-merry-we-ll/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [A dream has power to poison sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/a-dream-has-power-to-poison-sleep/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Titles are tinsel, power a corrupter, glorya bubble, and excessive wealth a libel on its possessor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/titles-are-tinsel-power-a-corrupter-glorya-bubble-and-excessive/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed !”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-fall-upon-the-thorns-of-life-i-bleed/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Poets and philosophers are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/poets-and-philosophers-are-the-unacknowledged-legislators-of-the-world/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Dar'st thou amid the varied multitude To live alone, an isolated thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/dar-st-thou-amid-the-varied-multitude-to-live-alone-an-isolated-thing/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Spirit of BEAUTY, that dost consecrate With thine own hues all thou dost shine upon Of human thought or form, where art thou gone?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/spirit-of-beauty-that-dost-consecrate-with-thine-own-hues-all-thou/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [I love tranquil solitude, And such society As is quiet, wise, and good; Between thee and me What difference? but thou dost possess The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-love-tranquil-solitude-and-such-society-as-is-quiet-wise-and-good/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The practice of utter sincerity towards other men would avail to no good end, if they were incapable of practising it towards their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-practice-of-utter-sincerity-towards-other-men-would-avail-to-no/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Senseless is the breast and cold Which relenting love would fold; Bloodless are the veins and chill Which the pulse of pain did fill;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/senseless-is-the-breast-and-cold-which-relenting-love-would-fold/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) [Explore all 533 Percy Bysshe Shelley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. 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But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) Alejandro Taubas > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. 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