Atticus, you must be wrong." "How's that?" "Well, most…
““Atticus, you must be wrong." "How's that?" "Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong. . ." "They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
One's conscience must guide actions, not the majority's opinion.
In simple terms: Conscience over popular opinion.
Key Takeaway
Trust your inner moral compass.
Themes
ethics
individualism
integrity
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- personal dilemmas
- public debates
- leadership choices
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you chosen conscience over crowd?
- How do you balance respect for others with personal values?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure can still sway decisions despite conscience.