"It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities
to give validity to his convictions in political affairs."
by:
Albert Einstein
(1879-1955) Physicist and Professor, Nobel Prize 1921
Source:
'Treasury for the Free World,' 1946
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Reader comments about this quote:
I believe personal conscience governs duty while Einstein's statement does elaborate my personal freedom of conscience.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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     -- Joe, Rochester, MI      
    This is a meaningless statement. One's convictions are simply one's beliefs. One can believe in a truth or a falsehood. The fact of truth or falsehood does not change depending on how strongly someone believes. Validity cannot be given to a conviction. Either the conviction is valid or it is not.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    Makes sense to me. Simply put it means that it is the responsibility of every person to put their own 'beliefs' of their rights to the test. If you cannot exercise your rights, you do not have them. It means taking a stand for one's convictions.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Ken Allyn, I think what Mr. Einstein means is that you should back up your opinions with logic. Granted, truth is truth whether you believe it or not, but it's also true that not everything is black or white: politics are an example.
     -- Anonymous     
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     -- jim k, Austin      
    Simply put, Convictions concerning political points of view, should be based upon fact ! ( Homologoumenos ) Without controversy, To declare openly by way of speaking out Freely, Such confession being the effect of deep convictions of Fact ! Truth by way of fact ! Much more can be expounded upon these lines of thought. Some cannot see the trees, because of the forest. The sting of truth, does hurt, and causes the ear and brain to itch !
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    @Ken, now that I have re-read the quote, I can see your point, "to give validity" to one's convictions is a fallacy which infers permission to be willfully ignorant to the conscience of others. Personally, I do respect a man of conviction, even if his ideals are in conflict with mine -- he at least fights for what he believes in rather than a rebel without a cause.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    However, people, federally educated for 35+ years, believe they will be 'cared for' by the 'all knowing/all giving' government in DC so no longer have any 'duty' except to work and pay taxes for the privilege of being enslaved, er, 'cared for', by those who control and own them.
     -- Abby     
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    Well said Archer, It is true Abby, to build upon conviction, is to build upon fact. To prove the existence of God's natural laws. Concept to Form, Ideas, words are the elements in which we build, the melding takes place to Form. An artistic expression. Art Like religion and science are of one nature. This is Homologoumenos conviction. Without controversy. Beliefs are not always conviction of fact. I can believe that God does not exist, but that does not make it so. The confidence of socialism draws the masses away from responsibility to themselves.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    Under, a no contact order, of the court, A plea of rescue comes forth, whether for physical or spiritual rescue, where does compliance stand ? Even though rescue has been performed many times. Should one withhold ? The court wishes to have the Rule. Where is my restraining order. ?!!! On my behalf ? seeing they, ( the court ) wish to intervene !!
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    Abby speaks through experience, Front line ? An administrator, working for a University in Oregon, told me, in conversation, learning can be painful, at times ! But with Good intention, no doubt, this for the profit of Good. Amen.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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