Causes Quote by Alexei Panshin
“If I had the opportunity, I would make the proposal that no man should be killed except by somebody who knows him well enough for the act to have impact. No death should be like nose blowing. Death is important enough that it should affect the person who causes it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny, 1966
A moral stance that killing should only occur when the perpetrator truly understands the victim, giving the act significance.
In simple terms: Killing should be meaningful, not careless.
Ensure actions have weight.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- war decisions
- capital punishment
- personal conflict
- self‑defense
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can any act of killing ever be truly justified?
- How do we measure “impact” in moral terms?
It may be impossible to guarantee deep knowledge before lethal choices.