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You said if X has something valuable and Y comes along and…

“You said if X has something valuable and Y comes along and takes it away from him, and there is absolutely no way in the world X can ever get it back, then you come along and make a deal with X to get it back, and keep half. Then you just … live on that until it starts to run out. Is that the way…” quote by John D. MacDonald
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““You said if X has something valuable and Y comes along and takes it away from him, and there is absolutely no way in the world X can ever get it back, then you come along and make a deal with X to get it back, and keep half. Then you just … live on that until it starts to run out. Is that the way it is, really?””

John D. MacDonald

About This Quote

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

Exploiting others’ loss for personal gain is short‑sighted and unsustainable, leading to eventual depletion.

In simple terms: Don’t profit from others’ misfortune.

Key Takeaway

Seek ethical solutions.

Themes

ethics economics fairness

Mood

critical ethical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • business
  • personal finance
  • social policy
  • environmental stewardship

Key Concepts

resource allocation moral philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What alternatives exist to mutual benefit?
  • How can fairness be ensured?
A Different Perspective

Short‑term gains may cause long‑term loss.

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