To whom much is given, much is expected.

Question: What does it mean to be an American?

Richard Armitage: It sounds kind of trite to say that to whom much has been given much is expected. But I happen to think that for the most part we’ve been blessed by our two great oceans, which has by and large kept us safe until 9/11. For the most part we haven’t had the great traumas that Europe and Asia have had in the last century with these tremendous wars. So I think we owe something to the world, not just to our country. I take very much to heart the words in … and English churchyard which suggests that we’re all part of humankind, and that any man’s death diminishes all of us. Because we are part of humankind; therefore we all ought to be a part of the positive side of humankind. And any man who is benefited benefits all of us.

Recorded on: 9/14/07