Duty Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““The Girl Scout’s motto is also mine. I fill my life with worthwhile deeds such as — well, never mind what. My duty is —to be useful. I am a friend to male animals. I am cheerful. I am thrifty and I am absolutely filthy in thought, word, and deed.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ada, Vladimir Nabokov, 1969
The speaker embraces a personal creed of usefulness, kindness, cheerfulness, thrift, and unapologetic honesty, even when it is messy.
In simple terms: Live usefully, be kind, accept imperfections.
Key Takeaway
Adopt a personal motto of usefulness.
Themes
usefulness
kindness
cheerfulness
thrift
honesty
Mood
reflective
defiant
Type
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- daily interactions
- volunteering
- creative work
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
personal creed
self‑identity
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does you define usefulness?
- When is honesty more harmful than helpful?
A Different Perspective
May the emphasis on “filthy” thought alienate others.
![“...under no circumstances would he [Humbert Humbert] have interfered with the innocence of a child, if there was the least risk of a row.” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f0/vladimir-nabokov-198_children_under-no-circumstances-would-he-humbert_16228.jpg)
