Children Quote by E.M. Forster
““They had started speaking of “women and children”—that phrase that exempts the male from sanity when it has been repeated a few times. Each felt that all he loved best in the world was at stake, demanded revenge, and was filled with a not unpleasing glow, in which the chilly and half-known features of Miss Quested vanished, and were replaced by all that is sweetest and warmest in private life. “But it’s the women and children,” they repeated, and the Collector knew he ought to stop them intoxicating themselves, but he hadn’t the heart.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “A Passage to India” (1924)
Men justify violent actions by invoking “women and children,” revealing moral conflict and suppressed humanity.
In simple terms: Violence justified by protecting loved ones.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when moral rhetoric masks personal motives.
Themes
war
morality
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- personal relationships
- social activism
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical conflict
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you used “protecting others” to justify actions?
- How can you discern genuine concern from manipulation?
A Different Perspective
May generalize complex motivations.
