What's the difference between "obligation" and "duty"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
The word "duty" is used to talk about something you do because of moral reasons. Whereas the word "obligation" is what you do to maintain order, like a rule. Generally, one is “obliged,” or “obligated,” by agreement or because of having received a benefit. If you take candy from a store, you have an obligation to pay for it. An obligation is, basically like, a debt - something you are bound to by agreement. A "duty" is something that is legally or morally right. The root of the word “duty” is essentially the same as “due,” but as a whole, it is interpreted as being what is “due” from you as a human. You have a “duty” as a parent to take care of your children and provide for them. No one has to have given you something or contracted with you for duty to exist. For the obligation to exist, there needs to be some form of contract.