--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ethics are the things that say, 'Don’t…" description: "\"“Ethics are the things that say, 'Don’t stick your finger in the socket.' The world says, 'It’s okay because we’ve shut off the electricity.' And at th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/craig-d-lounsbrough-285_choices_ethics-are-the-things-that-say-don-t-sti_2513449.jpg" --- # Ethics are the things that say, 'Don’t stick your finger… ![“Ethics are the things that say, 'Don’t stick your finger in the socket.' The world says, 'It’s okay because we’ve shut off the electricity.' And at the point that we’ve chosen to listen to the world and ignore our ethics, we say, 'I’m having a really hard time getting back up.” quote by Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/craig-d-lounsbrough-285_choices_ethics-are-the-things-that-say-don-t-sti_2513449.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/craig-d-lounsbrough-285_choices_ethics-are-the-things-that-say-don-t-sti_2513449.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ee/craig-d-lounsbrough-285_choices_ethics-are-the-things-that-say-don-t-sti_2513449.jpg) > ““Ethics are the things that say, 'Don’t stick your finger in the socket.' The world says, 'It’s okay because we’ve shut off the electricity.' And at the point that we’ve chosen to listen to the world and ignore our ethics, we say, 'I’m having a really hard time getting back up.”” [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ethics act as internal warnings; external norms may override them, leading to personal conflict when we ignore our own moral compass. **In simple terms:** Ethics warn us; society may ignore those warnings. Key Takeaway Listen to your own ethics despite external pressure. Themes ethics personal conflict societal pressure integrity Mood reflective determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - making tough decisions - standing up for values - navigating workplace dilemmas - dealing with peer pressure Key Concepts moral psychology cognitive dissonance social conformity Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal ethics with societal expectations? - When should you reject popular norms? 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