Bad person Quote by Augusten Burroughs
““Let the people who want to have kids, have them. And let the rest of us spend the extra money on ourselves. Being gay doesn’t make you a bad person. Not wanting kids doesn’t make you a bad person. Perhaps crushing the bones in one little girl’s hand makes you a bad person, but that was an accident.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Augusten Burroughs on Family and Identity”, 2022
The quote argues that personal choices about parenthood and sexuality are morally neutral, while violent actions are clearly wrong.
In simple terms: Choices about kids or sexuality aren't bad; harming others is.
Key Takeaway
Respect personal choices, reject violence.
Themes
personal freedom
morality
family
LGBTQ+
violence
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
assertive
Type
opinion
ethical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- parenting decisions
- LGBTQ+ rights
- budgeting
- accidental harm
- social policy
Key Concepts
autonomy
ethical relativism
personal identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance personal freedom with societal expectations?
- What responsibilities do we have to prevent accidental harm?
A Different Perspective
Violent actions can still be rationalized by some; societal pressures may complicate personal choices.
