Conscience Quote by Dorothy Dunnett
““Philippa’s letter, from an afflicted conscience, was not very much longer. … if I don’t look for him, no one else will. You know I’m sorry. But I couldn’t leave that little thing to wither away by itself Don’t be sad. We’re all going to come back. And you can teach him Two Legs and I Wot a Tree, and save him the top of the milk for his blackberry pie. He’ll never know, if we’re quick, that nobody wanted him.… Which had, Kate considered as she scrubbed off her tears, a ring of unlikely confidence about it, as well as rather a shaky understanding of the diet of one-year-old babies.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of Niccolò, 1960
A character feels compelled to act for a vulnerable being, showing compassion despite personal grief, illustrating moral duty and emotional resilience.
In simple terms: Compassion drives action even in sorrow.
Key Takeaway
Help those in need despite personal pain.
Themes
ethics
compassion
grief
Mood
empathetic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- childcare
- animal rescue
- personal loss
- community support
Key Concepts
Moral responsibility
emotional growth
Questions to Reflect On
- When should we prioritize others over ourselves?
- How does grief affect our capacity to help?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may romanticize sacrifice, ignoring personal limits.
