Brother Quote by Gertrude Stein
“Would I if I could by pushing a button would I kill five thousand Chinamen if I could save my brother from anything. Well I was very fond of my brother and I could completely imagine his suffering and I replied that five thousand Chinamen was something I could not imagine and so it was not interesting. One has to remember that about imagination, that is when the world gets dull when everybody does not know what they can or what they cannot really imagine.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Three Lives, 1909
The quote explores moral imagination, questioning how we value lives when faced with impossible choices.
In simple terms: Imagining large loss challenges our sense of empathy.
Key Takeaway
Consider the limits of empathy.
Themes
morality
imagination
value of life
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- war ethics
- personal sacrifice
- philosophical debate
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
psychology
decision theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we prioritize empathy?
- What limits our imagination?
A Different Perspective
The scenario is highly abstract and may not translate to real decisions.
![“What is the answer?" [ I [Alice B Toklas] was silent ] In that case, what is the question?” quote by Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eec/gertrude-stein-667_last-words_what-is-the-answer-i-alice-b-toklas-was_43063.jpg)
