You’ve one mark on your record,” Tamas said. “You once…
““You’ve one mark on your record,” Tamas said. “You once punched a na-baron in the face. Broke his jaw. Tell me about that.” Olem grimaced. “Officially, sir, I was pushing him out of the way of a runaway carriage. Saved his life. Half my company saw it.” “With your fist?” “Aye.” “And unofficially?” “The man was a git. He shot my dog because it startled his horse.” “And if I ever have cause to shoot your dog?” “I’ll punch you in the face.” “Fair enough. You have the job.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character justifies violent actions through a mix of official duty and personal vendetta, highlighting moral ambiguity.
In simple terms: Violence is rationalized by duty and personal grudges.
Key Takeaway
Question the ethics behind justified violence.
Themes
morality
conflict
justice
Mood
tense
thought‑provoking
Type
fiction
dialogue
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- military decisions
- personal grudges
Key Concepts
personal vendetta
official narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- When is violence truly justified?
- How do personal motives shape official narratives?
A Different Perspective
Justification may be biased by personal bias.