Duty vs. Devotion — What's the Difference?

A duty (from "due" meaning "that which is owing"; Old French: deu, did, past participle of devoir; Latin: debere, debitum, whence "debt") is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general or if certain circumstances arise. A duty may arise from a system of ethics or morality, especially in an honor culture.

Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle.

An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion

Religious ardor or zeal; piety.

Required action or service

Often devotions An act of religious observance or prayer, especially when private.

Active military service

A religious text presenting a prayer, frequently accompanied by an introductory scriptural passage and a homiletic gloss.

Moral or legal obligation

The act of devoting or the state of being devoted

The compulsion felt to meet such obligation

(uncountable) The act or state of devoting or being devoted.

A tax charged by a government, especially on imports.

(uncountable) Feeling of strong or fervent affection; dedication

The application of something for a purpose; use

(uncountable) Religious veneration, zeal, or piety.

A measure of efficiency expressed as the amount of work done per unit of energy used.

A prayer often found in the plural

The total volume of water required to irrigate a given area in order to cultivate a specific crop until harvest.

Religious offerings; alms.

That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.

The act of devoting; consecration.

The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.

The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness.

A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.

Act of devotedness or devoutness; manifestation of strong attachment; act of worship; prayer.

(obsolete) One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.

Disposal; power of disposal.

(obsolete) Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

A thing consecrated; an object of devotion.

The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).

Feelings of ardent love;

That which is due; payment.

Commitment to some purpose;

That which a person is bound by moral obligation to do, or refrain from doing; that which one ought to do; service morally obligatory.

Religious zeal; willingness to serve God

Hence, any assigned service or business; as, the duties of a policeman, or a soldier; to be on duty.

(usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently);

Specifically, obedience or submission due to parents and superiors.

Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).

Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of money required by government to be paid on the importation, exportation, or consumption of goods.

Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons;

The social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force;

A government tax on imports or exports;