July 12

On Duty

“Men do not get character among their fellows by indolence and listlessness, or by pretensions and talk. Action! action!—this is what the world wants; and there is more truth than we have dreamed in Nelson’s aphorism, “England expects every man to do his duty.”” (600.647)

“It is a good saying of an old divine, “Never bring to God one duty stained with the blood of another.” As much as lieth in you, give to each distinct duty its due proportion.” (2976.105)