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Today's world, as we all know, is faced with multiple threats. From whichever angle I look at this menace, I always come to the conclusion that salvation can only come through a profound awakening of man to his own personal responsibility, which is at the same time a global responsibility. Thus, the only way to save our world, as I see it, lies in a democracy that recalls its ancient Greek roots: democracy based on an integral human personality personally answering for the fate of the community.

Vaclav Havel#88

EthicsResponsibilityDemocracyCommunity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Global salvation requires personal responsibility rooted in democratic ideals.
In plain terms
Saving the world starts with each person taking responsibility.
What can you take from it?
Personal responsibility is key to global democracy.

Where it applies

  • civic engagement
  • political reform
  • ethical leadership

Putting it to work

  • advocate local responsibility
  • participate in democracy

Questions to consider

  • How do you take personal responsibility?
  • What does true democracy require?

Another view

Individual responsibility alone may not fix systemic issues.

More from Vaclav Havel

  1. An ordinary human being, with a personal conscience, personally answering for something to somebody and personally and directly taking responsibility, seems to…

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  2. I think there are good reasons for suggesting that the modern age has ended. Today, many things indicate that we are going thorough a transitional period, when…

    Permalink to quote #89
  3. I have had direct experience of this myself. Often, what the press wrote, or did not write, about a remark I made somewhere proved to be of a far greater conse…

    Permalink to quote #86

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