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Character Quote by Pope John XXIII

“Authority is mainly a moral power; therefore, it must first call upon the conscience, that is, upon the duty that each person has to contribute willingly to the common good.” quote by Pope John XXIII
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“Authority is mainly a moral power; therefore, it must first call upon the conscience, that is, upon the duty that each person has to contribute willingly to the common good.”

Pope John XXIII

About This Quote

Source Encyclical: Mater et Magistra, 1961

Authority should be grounded in moral conscience, urging individuals to willingly contribute to the common good.

In simple terms: Authority must be moral and call on conscience.

Key Takeaway

Align authority with moral conscience.

Themes

moral authority common good conscience

Mood

inspirational serious

Type

religious philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political leadership
  • community service
  • public policy

Key Concepts

Ethics social responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we ensure authority remains moral?
  • What duties do individuals have to society?
A Different Perspective

Power can be misused without accountability.

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