Country Quote by William Wordsworth
“When men change swords for ledgers, and desert The student's bower for gold, some fears unnamed I had, my Country--am I to be blamed?”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Prelude” (excerpt) by William Wordsworth, 1805
The poet reflects on abandoning scholarly pursuits for material wealth, questioning moral responsibility toward his country.
In simple terms: Choosing wealth over study raises moral doubts.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical impact of career choices.
Themes
ethics
national duty
materialism
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political decisions
- academic careers
- business ventures
Key Concepts
moral conflict
career vs. country
Questions to Reflect On
- Is personal gain justified over national service?
- How to balance ambition with duty?
A Different Perspective
Economic pressures can dominate moral considerations.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
