Replies

"Do not confuse 'duty' with what other people expect of you; they are utterly different. Duty is a debt you owe to yourself to fulfill obligations you have assumed voluntarily. Paying that debt can entail anything from years of patient work to instant willingness to die. Difficult it may be, but the reward is self-respect.

Heinlein.

Wow, you guys -- thanks. I have not yet read anything by Heinlein (though Ayn Rand inspired me at age 18 when I read her books, and she's remained tops with me) ... but I will be checking out Heinlein my next trip to the library. Even if he is an atheist!! (The older I get, the more I think atheism is naive ...). Heinlein does not recognize God's image in himself! Ayn Rand was another. Her philosophy seemed to me to be entirely in keeping with all in the new testament in an oddly fundamental way. Same with what I've read here of Heinlein.

Thanks again for this GREAT thread!

Finfreak