--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...This is the only way. I will not allow…" description: "\"...This is the only way. I will not allow humans or fairies to die when I might have prevented it.” Butler would not give up. “Listen to yourself. You ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/eoin-colfer-736_butler_this-is-the-only-way-i-will-not-allow-hu_1744524.png" --- # ...This is the only way. I will not allow humans or… ![“...This is the only way. I will not allow humans or fairies to die when I might have prevented it.” Butler would not give up. “Listen to yourself. You sound like a... like a good guy! There’s nothing in this for you.” quote by Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/eoin-colfer-736_butler_this-is-the-only-way-i-will-not-allow-hu_1744524.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/eoin-colfer-736_butler_this-is-the-only-way-i-will-not-allow-hu_1744524.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/eoin-colfer-736_butler_this-is-the-only-way-i-will-not-allow-hu_1744524.png) > “...This is the only way. I will not allow humans or fairies to die when I might have prevented it.” Butler would not give up. “Listen to yourself. You sound like a... like a good guy! There’s nothing in this for you.” [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The character vows to prevent death, even at personal cost, showing moral conviction. **In simple terms:** Willingness to sacrifice for others. Key Takeaway Act on moral duty despite risk. Themes sacrifice ethics determination Mood determined serious Type heroic philosophical When to use this quote - medical emergencies - life‑saving decisions - protecting loved ones Key Concepts moral responsibility heroism preventive action Questions to Reflect On - What would you risk to save a life? - When is self‑preservation justified? A Different Perspective The cost of sacrifice may outweigh the benefit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Butlers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butlers/) [Fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Good guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-guy/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Not giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-giving-up/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [I am Butler. Anything I say sounds scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-am-butler-anything-i-say-sounds-scary/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Butler could kill you a hundred different ways without use of his armoury. Though I'm sure one would be quite sufficient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/butler-could-kill-you-a-hundred-different-ways-without-use-of-his/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Butler,” he called, his voice thin and childlike in the wind. “Yes, Artemis, what?” “If something goes wrong, wait for me. No matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/butler-he-called-his-voice-thin-and-childlike-in-the-wind-yes-artemis/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [I am unarmed. But Butler here, my ...ah...butler, has a Sig Saucer in his shoulder holster, two shrike-throwing knives in his boots, aderringer two-shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-am-unarmed-but-butler-here-my-ah-butler-has-a-sig-saucer-in-his/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [There were only two men on the planet better educated in the various martial arts than Butler, and he was related to one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-were-only-two-men-on-the-planet-better-educated-in-the-various-2/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Anything else, Butler?" "The cosh, sir.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/anything-else-butler-the-cosh-sir/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Butler was seeing the world as it was, complete with L.E.P retrival team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/butler-was-seeing-the-world-as-it-was-complete-with-l-e-p-retrival/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [A butler in an English household should, however, be English, and as much like an archbishop as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-leverson/a-butler-in-an-english-household-should-however-be-english-and-as/) [Ada Leverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-leverson/) > ['The Butler' has virtually nothing in common with its source material, the life of White House butler Gene Allen, except for the fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/the-butler-has-virtually-nothing-in-common-with-its-source-material/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [A lot of people didn't get to see Butler's skills throughout the course of the season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brady/a-lot-of-people-didn-t-get-to-see-butler-s-skills-throughout-the/) [Tom Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brady/) > [Nothing could have been worse for the development of my mind than Dr. Butler's school, as it was strictly classical, nothing else being taught,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/nothing-could-have-been-worse-for-the-development-of-my-mind-than-dr/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Scarlett O'Hara is going to be a thankless and difficult role. The part I'd like to play is Rhett Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norma-shearer/scarlett-o-hara-is-going-to-be-a-thankless-and-difficult-role-the/) [Norma Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norma-shearer/) > [As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-whom-is-a-word-that-was-invented-to-make/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) > [Why does Samuel Butler say, 'Wise men never say what they think of women'? Wise men never say anything else apparently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/why-does-samuel-butler-say-wise-men-never-say-what-they-think-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [If I could be anyone, I'd choose the lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/if-i-could-be-anyone-i-d-choose-the-lead-singer-of-arcade-fire-win/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) ## More by Eoin Colfer > [There’s always time for babbling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-s-always-time-for-babbling/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [And I will not be beaten by that jackass." "Jackass?" said Foaly, wounded. "My favorite uncle is a jackass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/and-i-will-not-be-beaten-by-that-jackass-jackass-said-foaly-wounded/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Thankfully the rest of the world assumed that the Irish were crazy, a theory that the Irish themselves did nothing to debunk. They had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/thankfully-the-rest-of-the-world-assumed-that-the-irish-were-crazy-a/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [The craft's occupants clutched their armrests, and more than one of them closed their eyes. But not Artemis. He couldn't. There was something morbidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/the-craft-s-occupants-clutched-their-armrests-and-more-than-one-of/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Tea? At the beach? No time for luxuries, Holly. There is important work to be done.” He winked at Butler. “Are you sure you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/tea-at-the-beach-no-time-for-luxuries-holly-there-is-important-work/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Wait," said Butler. "Just wait, Holly. Artemis has a plan." He squinted through the green dome. "What is your plan, Artemis?" All Artemis could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/wait-said-butler-just-wait-holly-artemis-has-a-plan-he-squinted/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Holly is alive,' thought Foaly 'My princess lives,'exulted Orion. 'And we're chasing a dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/holly-is-alive-thought-foaly-my-princess-lives-exulted-orion-and-we/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“There were only two men on the planet better educated in the various martial arts than Butler, and he was related to one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-were-only-two-men-on-the-planet-better-educated-in-the-various/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [If Elmore Leonard met Jim Thompson down a dark alley at midnight they might emerge a week later with thick beards, bloodshot eyes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/if-elmore-leonard-met-jim-thompson-down-a-dark-alley-at-midnight-they/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Sig Sauer. Nine millimetres. Thirteen in the magazine. Big bullets. One of these hits you and it could blow your head off; something even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/sig-sauer-nine-millimetres-thirteen-in-the-magazine-big-bullets-one/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“I feel him near in the twist of me guts. It's something I've always been able to do. --The Reluctant Assassin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/i-feel-him-near-in-the-twist-of-me-guts-it-s-something-i-ve-always/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Onscreen, Foaly rubbed his eyelids with his index fingers. "Yeah, yeah. Here we go. Captain Short goes rogue once more. Hands up who's surprised.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/onscreen-foaly-rubbed-his-eyelids-with-his-index-fingers-yeah-yeah/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [(about his terrible attempt at making a sandwich) It's more difficult than it looks. (Artemis Fowl)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/about-his-terrible-attempt-at-making-a-sandwich-it-s-more-difficult/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Play along, the wink said. I'll get you out of this. At least Artemis hoped this was what his wink communicated and not something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/play-along-the-wink-said-i-ll-get-you-out-of-this-at-least-artemis/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [“ It's now or never , thought Otto. Now, now! thought Witmeyer. And so Ram kissed Thundercat, and suddenly neither bed of roses nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/it-s-now-or-never-thought-otto-now-now-thought-witmeyer-and-so-ram/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) [Explore all 371 Eoin Colfer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) ## More Butler quotes > [“No one had ever left me so simultaneously relaxed and knotted up all at once (except maybe Rhett Butler, which doesn't count since he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecily-white/no-one-had-ever-left-me-so-simultaneously-relaxed-and-knotted-up-all/) [Cecily White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecily-white/) > [If I could be anyone, I'd choose the lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/if-i-could-be-anyone-i-d-choose-the-lead-singer-of-arcade-fire-win/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [Why does Samuel Butler say, 'Wise men never say what they think of women'? Wise men never say anything else apparently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/why-does-samuel-butler-say-wise-men-never-say-what-they-think-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [I am much closer to the Butler side of the family, which is on mother's side, from where I get my middle name. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-butler-harner/i-am-much-closer-to-the-butler-side-of-the-family-which-is-on-mother/) [Jason Butler Harner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-butler-harner/) > [“There were only two men on the planet better educated in the various martial arts than Butler, and he was related to one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/there-were-only-two-men-on-the-planet-better-educated-in-the-various/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [I used to do impersonations: Harry Butler in the wild, or I'd do Gough Whitlam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wenham/i-used-to-do-impersonations-harry-butler-in-the-wild-or-i-d-do-gough/) [David Wenham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wenham/) > [“Is this the part where you tell me he’ll come around?” “Hell, no.” At least Phil Butler was an honest man. Five”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-jakes/is-this-the-part-where-you-tell-me-he-ll-come-around-hell-no-at-least/) [S.E. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-jakes/) > [“What it means to be a ‘better person’, then, must be concrete and practical — that is to say, concerned with people’s political situations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/what-it-means-to-be-a-better-person-then-must-be-concrete-and/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [What makes Butler truly unique is the people that we have been so blessed to work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stevens/what-makes-butler-truly-unique-is-the-people-that-we-have-been-so/) [Brad Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stevens/) > [“There is no life without the conditions of life that variably sustain life, and those conditions are pervasively social, establishing not the discrete ontology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/there-is-no-life-without-the-conditions-of-life-that-variably-sustain/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-whom-is-a-word-that-was-invented-to-make/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) > [Scarlett O'Hara is going to be a thankless and difficult role. The part I'd like to play is Rhett Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norma-shearer/scarlett-o-hara-is-going-to-be-a-thankless-and-difficult-role-the/) [Norma Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norma-shearer/) > [“He stood out like Gerard Butler in a gay bar, or any bar for that matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-ragan/he-stood-out-like-gerard-butler-in-a-gay-bar-or-any-bar-for-that/) [T.R. Ragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-ragan/) > [Butler was seeing the world as it was, complete with L.E.P retrival team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/butler-was-seeing-the-world-as-it-was-complete-with-l-e-p-retrival/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [I wouldn't want to be reincarnated as a butler. I couldn't for the life of me do the job in real life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carter/i-wouldn-t-want-to-be-reincarnated-as-a-butler-i-couldn-t-for-the/) [Jim Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carter/) Browse all 112 Butler quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "...This is the only way. I will not allow humans or fairies to die when I might have prevented it.” Butler would not give up. “Listen to yourself. You sound like a... like a good guy! 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