Duty Quote by William Godwin
“He has no right to his life when his duty calls him to resign it. Other men are bound... to deprive him of life or liberty, if that should appear in any case to be indispensably necessary to prevent a greater evil.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, 1793
When duty demands sacrifice, a person may lose personal freedoms, which is justified only to prevent a greater harm.
In simple terms: Duty can override individual rights for the sake of preventing worse outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Weigh personal liberty against collective safety.
Themes
ethics
duty
rights
politics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- wartime decisions
- public health crises
- legal judgments
Key Concepts
social contract
moral philosophy
utilitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to limit freedoms for safety?
- Who decides what constitutes a greater evil?
A Different Perspective
Absolute duty may be abused to suppress dissent.
