Christian obligation cannot be made to accord with a law of expediency. The Christian's maxims are, "Do right because you are bound to do right." "Do right though the heavens fall." There is a world of difference between "You had better" and "You are bound to."
It is not the profession of religion which creates the obligation for the performance of duty; for that existed before any such profession was made. The profession of religion only recognises the obligation.
Men must be either the slaves of duty, or the slaves of force.
Not until the soul is fastened in loving sympathies upon God as its centre, will it sweep the orbit of duty.
He who can at all times sacrifice pleasure to duty approaches sublimity.
—Lavater.
Only when the voice of duty is silent, or when it has already spoken, may we allowably think of the consequences of a particular action.
—Guesses at Truth.
When any duty is to be done, it is fortunate for you if you feel like doing it; but, if you do not feel like it, that is no reason for not doing it.
The consciousness of duty performed gives us music at midnight.
