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And we can’t afford to miss again. We’ll have to literally…

“And we can’t afford to miss again. We’ll have to literally stab him in the back.” “If we do that, the people are going to want us to find the killer.” “That won’t be a problem.” Saldur smiled. “We’ll just pin it on someone.” “Not another traitor. I’m not sure people will stomach that either.” “No…” quote by Michael J. Sullivan
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““And we can’t afford to miss again. We’ll have to literally stab him in the back.” “If we do that, the people are going to want us to find the killer.” “That won’t be a problem.” Saldur smiled. “We’ll just pin it on someone.” “Not another traitor. I’m not sure people will stomach that either.” “No, we’ll find someone else. Someone without a name, someone unimportant and easy to attach the blame to.” “Like who?” “A couple of thieves perhaps—that way nothing can go wrong.””

Michael J. Sullivan

About This Quote

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

Narrates a plot where characters justify scapegoating a nameless, unimportant person to avoid blame, exposing moral compromise in crisis.

In simple terms: Characters scapegoat a nameless person to avoid blame.

Key Takeaway

Question ethical shortcuts in crisis.

Themes

ethics politics manipulation

Mood

critical analytical

Type

literary ethical

When to use this quote

  • leadership training
  • critical thinking
  • story analysis

Key Concepts

fictional narrative moral dilemmas

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are the costs of scapegoating?
  • How can accountability be maintained?
A Different Perspective

Real‑world application may be complex.

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