Ancestor Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
“Then he is a monster!" the Prince crowed, "and I must slay him at once. The Formula works!" "Your Formula must result in a great deal of fighting," I mused. "Oh, yes, when applied correctly mighty and noble battles result! Of course I always win—the value of Prince X is a constant. It cannot be lesser than that of Monster Y—this is the Moral Superiority Hypothesis made famous five hundred years ago by my ancestor Ethelred, the Mathematician-King. We have never seen his equal, in all these centuries.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Invention of Hugo Cabret, 2007
The narrator boasts of an unbeatable moral superiority, using a fictional hypothesis to justify dominance over a monster.
In simple terms: He claims moral superiority guarantees victory.
Key Takeaway
Question the basis of claimed superiority.
Themes
pride
power
mythmaking
Mood
critical
mythical
Type
philosophical
dramatic
When to use this quote
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
moral superiority
fictional logic
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports your moral claim?
- How might humility change the outcome?
A Different Perspective
Superiority claims can be challenged by humility.
