On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
There are many men who will do their duty when it is not wanted; but a genuine public spirit always appears most when there is most occasion for it.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “There are many men who will do their duty when it is not wanted; but a genuine public spirit always appears most when…”
Editor's note · Context
In "The American Crisis," Paine distinguishes between superficial duty and genuine public spirit, which manifests most strongly in times of need.
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