There were minutes of silence then and in them I thought…
““There were minutes of silence then and in them I thought about the only truth that mattered, the only morality that mattered, the only sin, the only crime. When Lily de Seitas had told me her version of it at the end of our meeting at the museum I had taken it as a retrospective thing, a comment on my past and on my anecdote about the butcher. But I saw now it had been about my future. History has superseded the ten commandments of the Bible; for me they had never had any real meaning, that is, any other than a conformitant influence. But sitting in that bedroom, staring at the glow of the fire on the jamb of the door through to the sitting room, I knew that at last I began to feel the force of this super-commandment, summary of them all; somewhere I knew I had to choose it, and every day afresh, even though I went on failing to keep it. Conchis had talked of points of fulcrum, moments when one met one's future. I also knew it was all bound up with Alison, with choosing Alison, and having to go on choosing her every day. Adulthood was like a mountain, and I stood at the foot of this cliff of ice, this impossible and unclimbable: Thou shalt not inflict unnecessary pain.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A moment of silence reveals a deeper moral truth that overrides traditional commandments, guiding personal choice and responsibility.
In simple terms: Silence uncovers a higher moral law guiding choices.
Key Takeaway
Listen for deeper moral guidance.
Themes
morality
choice
responsibility
Mood
introspective
philosophical
Type
ethical
existential
When to use this quote
- relationship decisions
- career choices
- ethical dilemmas
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
personal ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What super‑commandment guides you?
- How do you reconcile personal ethics with tradition?
A Different Perspective
Higher moral insight may conflict with societal norms.