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But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to…

“But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” quote by Harper Lee
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““But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.””

Harper Lee

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

All humans, regardless of background, have lied and felt desire; moral imperfections are universal.

In simple terms: Everyone lies and feels desire.

Key Takeaway

Accept human flaws.

Themes

human nature morality desire

Mood

reflective serious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • courtroom testimony
  • personal reflection
  • social critique

Key Concepts

ethical relativism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we balance judgment with empathy?
  • Can we ever be truly unbiased?
A Different Perspective

Not all lies are equal; context matters.

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