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Right and wrong aren't dropped from the sky. We. We make…

“Right and wrong aren't dropped from the sky. We. We make them. Against misery. Invariably, Harry, invariably--he grows confident of his ability to negotiate long words--misery follows their disobedience. Not our own, often at first not our own.” quote by John Updike
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““Right and wrong aren't dropped from the sky. We. We make them. Against misery. Invariably, Harry, invariably--he grows confident of his ability to negotiate long words--misery follows their disobedience. Not our own, often at first not our own.””

John Updike

About This Quote

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

Moral judgments are human creations, not divine givens; they arise from personal and societal choices and can lead to suffering when misused.

In simple terms: We create right and wrong, and misuse can cause misery.

Key Takeaway

Recognize responsibility for your moral choices.

Themes

ethics responsibility human agency consequence misery

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal decision making
  • leadership
  • conflict resolution
  • social policy
  • education

Key Concepts

moral philosophy existentialism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide what is right in ambiguous situations?
  • What role does intention play in moral outcomes?
A Different Perspective

Moral frameworks can be ambiguous and culturally relative, limiting universal application.

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