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He would have finished Goddam off then and there, but pity…

“He would have finished Goddam off then and there, but pity stayed his hand. 'It's a pity I've run out of bullets,' he thought.” quote by Henry N. Beard
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““He would have finished Goddam off then and there, but pity stayed his hand. 'It's a pity I've run out of bullets,' he thought.””

Henry N. Beard

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 hesitates to kill because he feels remorse, showing that compassion can override violent impulses.

In simple terms: Compassion can stop violent actions.

Key Takeaway

Remember empathy before aggression.

Themes

morality compassion violence selfcontrol

Mood

conflicted reflective

Type

literary ethical

When to use this quote

  • war
  • personal conflict
  • self‑defense
  • ethical decision making

Key Concepts

ethical dilemma humanity psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What would you do when duty conflicts with conscience?
  • Can pity be a strength?
A Different Perspective

Even with justification, moral restraint can be difficult to maintain.

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