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You have a conscience, and a conscience is a valuable…

“You have a conscience, and a conscience is a valuable attribute, but not if it begins to make you think you were to blame for what is far beyond the scope of your responsibility.” quote by Philip Roth
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“You have a conscience, and a conscience is a valuable attribute, but not if it begins to make you think you were to blame for what is far beyond the scope of your responsibility.”

Philip Roth

About This Quote

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

A conscience is valuable, yet it can become burdensome if it forces us to blame ourselves for events beyond our control.

In simple terms: Guilt can be misplaced when responsibility is unclear.

Key Takeaway

Recognize limits of personal responsibility.

Themes

guilt responsibility self‑judgment

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • legal disputes
  • family crises
  • global issues
  • personal failures

Key Concepts

psychology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What responsibilities are truly yours?
  • How can you release undue guilt?
A Different Perspective

Blaming oneself can hinder coping and action.

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