"The only thing you owe the public is a good performance"

Humphrey Bogart's quote recommends that the only responsibility an individual has to the general public is to perform to the very best of their capability. This indicates that the general public has a right to expect a specific level of quality from a private, and that it is the person's obligation to satisfy that expectation. The quote likewise implies that the individual should not be held liable for any other obligations to the general public, such as providing financial support or engaging in civil service. Instead, the person needs to focus on offering a good performance, which is the only thing they owe the general public. This quote motivates individuals to pursue quality in their work and to take pride in their accomplishments. It also functions as a suggestion that the public has a right to expect a certain level of quality from a specific, which it is the person's duty to fulfill that expectation.