I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I've never wanted to get adjusted to my income, because I knew I wanted to go back to public service. And in comparison to what my mother earns and how I was raised, it's not modest at all. I have no right to complain.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker emphasizes the importance of humility and public service over personal wealth.
In this quote, Sonia Sotomayor reflects on her financial situation, recognizing that despite her income being higher than what she grew up with, she remains committed to her values and the calling of public service. She expresses gratitude for her circumstances while also acknowledging her responsibility to serve others rather than becoming complacent with her earnings.
Themes
Public ServiceHumilityIncomeGratitudeValues
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a discussion on the importance of choosing a career in public service.
More from Sonia Sotomayor
All quotes →This wealth of experiences, personal and professional, have helped me appreciate the variety of perspectives that present themselves in every case that I hear.
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I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.
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The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn't have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
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As you discover what strength you can draw from your community in this world from which it stands apart, look outward as well as inward. Build bridges instead of walls.
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There are uses to adversity, and they don't reveal themselves until tested. Whether it's serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.
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