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Something about the fact that I made some contribution to either my country, or those who were less well off. I think back to what Camus wrote about the fact that perhaps this world is a world in which children suffer, but we can lessen the number of suffering children, and if you do not do this, then who will do this? I'd like to feel that I'd done something to lessen that suffering.

Robert Kennedy#13

ServiceAltruismChildrenDutySuffering

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker feels motivated to contribute to their country and reduce suffering, citing the idea that someone must act to help children.
In plain terms
I want to help reduce the suffering of children in the world.
What can you take from it?
Someone must act to lessen suffering; why not you?

Where it applies

  • charity
  • public service
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • humanitarian aid
  • public service
  • advocacy

Questions to consider

  • Who will reduce suffering if not us?
  • What is your contribution?

Another view

It assumes individual action is the primary solution to systemic suffering.

More from Robert Kennedy

  1. For there is another kind of violence, slower but just as deadly destructive as the shot or the bomb in the night. This is the violence of institutions; indiff…

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  2. Are we like the God of the Old Testament, that we in Washington can decide which cities, towns, and hamlets in Vietnam will be destroyed? Do we have to accept …

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are most important of all, human beings whom other human be…

    Permalink to quote #11

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