Bad karma Quote by David Mitchell
““Nowadays, in Japan, when mother, or baby, or mother and baby die in childbirth, people say, ‘Ah…they die because gods decide so.’ Or, ‘They die because bad karma.’ Or, ‘They die because o-mamori—magic from temple—too cheap.’ Mr. de Zoet understand, it is same as bridge. True reason of many,. Many death of ignoration. I wish to build bridge from ignoration,” her tapering hands form a bridge, “to knowledge. This,” she lifts, with reverence, Dr. Smellie’s text, “is piece of bridge. One day, I teach this knowledge…make school…students who teach other students…and in future, in Japan, many less mothers die of ignoration.” She surveys her daydream for just a moment before lowering her eyes. “A foolish plan.””
About This Quote
The passage argues that maternal and infant deaths in Japan are often blamed on supernatural or karmic causes, while the true cause is ignorance; education is presented as a bridge to prevent these deaths.
In simple terms: Ignorance leads to preventable deaths; education can bridge the gap.
Key Takeaway
Education can reduce maternal mortality.
Themes
Ignorance
Superstition
Maternal health
Education
Social responsibility
Mood
Hopeful
Urgent
Type
Social critique
Call to action
When to use this quote
- Rural clinics lacking resources
- Community health workshops
- School curricula development
Key Concepts
Cultural beliefs
Public health
Knowledge dissemination
Practical Applications
- Implement peer‑teaching programs in schools
- Create public health campaigns that replace superstition with factual information
Questions to Reflect On
- How can education be tailored to respect cultural beliefs while correcting misinformation?
- What role should government policy play in bridging knowledge gaps?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that systemic issues like poverty and healthcare access, not just ignorance, drive maternal mortality.
