The quote is often cited as an exhortation to communal responsibility and as a reminder that any special favour entrusted should not be squandered.

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Back in 2004, the screen diva Aishwarya Rai oversaw the launch of a balloon, inscribed with an exhortation to vote, which was then tethered to the site to the horror of aesthetes.

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He closed his speech with an exhortation to service.

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But he adds that the prize can also be seen as "an exhortation not to let this huge project of genius which is the European Union go to the dogs simply because of national selfishness and short-sightedness".

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For example he said a lesson on the Bible story of Jesus feeding the 5, 000 could become "an exhortation to share your picnic rather than a discussion of whether miracles really happen or what significance they have for Christians today: for example those who say they have been miraculously healed or pray for healing".

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Yet all this underscores an uncomfortable point about why such personal exhortation is needed.

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