“None of us has any personal interest above the interests of the country. Our country is more important than our careers.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“None of us has any personal interest above the interests of the country. Our country is more important than our careers.”
Explanation
This quote underscores Fidel Castro’s call for selflessness and patriotism among revolutionary leaders, asserting that individual ambition must never supersede the collective good. By declaring that “none of us has any personal interest above the interests of the country,” Castro sets a moral and political standard for public service, where loyalty to national development and sovereignty takes precedence over personal gain or status. The follow-up—“Our country is more important than our careers”—emphasizes that political office or recognition must be tools for service, not ends in themselves.
Historically, this idea was central to Castro’s conception of revolutionary discipline and unity, particularly in a context where external pressure, internal dissent, and economic hardship could tempt opportunism or division. He sought to forge a leadership culture that was committed to sacrifice and ideological integrity, rejecting the model of corrupt officials or career politicians focused on personal power. The Cuban Revolution, in his view, required humility, dedication, and collective resolve.
In modern terms, the quote remains a powerful reminder of the ethical foundations of public leadership. It challenges contemporary politicians and civil servants to consider whether their decisions serve the people or their own advancement, and speaks to a broader vision of governance as a form of service, not self-enrichment. Castro’s words continue to resonate as a demand for principled leadership grounded in national duty and public trust.
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