Since the days of Greece and Rome when the word 'citizen' was a title of honor, we have often seen more emphasis put on the rights of citizenship than on its responsibilities. And today, as never before in the free world, responsibility is the greatest right of citizenship and service is the greatest of freedom's privileges.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Citizenship emphasizes rights too much; responsibility and service are its greatest privileges.
- In plain terms
- We focus on rights but should focus on the responsibilities and service of citizenship.
- What can you take from it?
- Service is a privilege of citizenship.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is your duty as a citizen?
- How do you serve your community?
Another view
Rights protections are necessary prerequisites for effective civic responsibility.
More from Robert Kennedy
Punishment is not prevention. History offers cold comfort to those who think grievance and despair can be subdued by force.
Permalink to quote #63 That which unites us is, must be, stronger than that which divides us. We can concentrate on what unites us, and secure the future for all our children; or we …
Permalink to quote #65 Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.
Permalink to quote #62
Related quotes
Since the days of Greece and Rome when the word 'citizen' was a title of honor, we have often seen more emphasis put on the rights of citizenship than on its r…
Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #64 As free citizens in a political democracy, we have a responsibility to be interested and involved in the affairs of the human community, be it at the local or …
Paul WellstonePaul Wellstone quote #3 The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight; that he shall not be a mere passenger, …
Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt quote #11