--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would not allow CIA to undertake…" description: "\"I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is immoral, even if it is technically legal.\" — Gina Haspel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg" --- # I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is… ![“I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is immoral, even if it is technically legal.” quote by Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg) > “I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is immoral, even if it is technically legal.” [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legal actions can be immoral; ethical standards must guide decisions beyond mere legality. **In simple terms:** Morality should guide actions, not just legality. Key Takeaway Prioritize ethical considerations over legal loopholes. Themes ethics law integrity Mood serious thoughtful Type political ethical When to use this quote - government policy decisions - corporate compliance - personal choices Key Concepts moral philosophy public service accountability Questions to Reflect On - When should one refuse a legal but immoral directive? - How can organizations embed ethics into compliance? A Different Perspective Legal frameworks may conflict with personal morals, creating dilemmas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity Immoral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity-immoral-811420/) [Allow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow/) [Allow Cia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow-cia-811418/) [Cia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cia/) [Cia Undertake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cia-undertake-811421/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Immoral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immoral/) [Immoral Technically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immoral-technically-811419/) [Legal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legal/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is more important to those of us at CIA than our obligation to earn the trust of our fellow citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/nothing-is-more-important-to-those-of-us-at-cia-than-our-obligation/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I joined the CIA in 1985 as an operations officer in the Clandestine Service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-joined-the-cia-in-1985-as-an-operations-officer-in-the-clandestine/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I know CIA like the back of my hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-know-cia-like-the-back-of-my-hand/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I would not restart, under any circumstances, an interrogation program at CIA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-would-not-restart-under-any-circumstances-an-interrogation-program/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [CIA has learned some tough lessons, especially when asked to tackle missions that fall outside our expertise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/cia-has-learned-some-tough-lessons-especially-when-asked-to-tackle/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I wrote a letter to the CIA on my manual college typewriter. I mailed it to CIA with my resume. I didn't have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-wrote-a-letter-to-the-cia-on-my-manual-college-typewriter-i-mailed/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [Just to talk a moment about transparency, of course CIA does have a Twitter account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/just-to-talk-a-moment-about-transparency-of-course-cia-does-have-a/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [A lot has changed since I first arrived at CIA, but our mission remains as relevant and important as ever. And this is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/a-lot-has-changed-since-i-first-arrived-at-cia-but-our-mission/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [CIA has been treated with enormous respect and our expertise is valued for what we bring to the table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/cia-has-been-treated-with-enormous-respect-and-our-expertise-is/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [First of all, CIA follows the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/first-of-all-cia-follows-the-law/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [People went out there and they wrote articles and went on television shows saying that I am an operative that the CIA who used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bassem-youssef/people-went-out-there-and-they-wrote-articles-and-went-on-television/) [Bassem Youssef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bassem-youssef/) > [I spent close to a decade as an undercover officer in the CIA and have spent most of my adult life collecting intelligence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/i-spent-close-to-a-decade-as-an-undercover-officer-in-the-cia-and/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [I find a difference in British spy fiction and American spy fiction. In the American version, it's more militaristic, partly because the CIA has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-cumming/i-find-a-difference-in-british-spy-fiction-and-american-spy-fiction/) [Charles Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-cumming/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) ## More by Gina Haspel > [When a very tough, old school leader announced that I was his pick to be Chief of Station in a small but important frontier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/when-a-very-tough-old-school-leader-announced-that-i-was-his-pick-to/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I was on the front lines in the Cold War, and I was on the front lines in the fight against Al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-was-on-the-front-lines-in-the-cold-war-and-i-was-on-the-front-lines/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [First of all, CIA follows the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/first-of-all-cia-follows-the-law/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [CIA has been treated with enormous respect and our expertise is valued for what we bring to the table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/cia-has-been-treated-with-enormous-respect-and-our-expertise-is/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [A lot has changed since I first arrived at CIA, but our mission remains as relevant and important as ever. And this is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/a-lot-has-changed-since-i-first-arrived-at-cia-but-our-mission/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [The first boots on the ground in Afghanistan were my colleagues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/the-first-boots-on-the-ground-in-afghanistan-were-my-colleagues/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [After years of failure, I do think that President Trump has shown a lot of wisdom in reaching out his hand to the North…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/after-years-of-failure-i-do-think-that-president-trump-has-shown-a/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [My moral compass is strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/my-moral-compass-is-strong/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I support the higher moral standard that this country has decided to hold itself to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-support-the-higher-moral-standard-that-this-country-has-decided-to/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I think it is important to recall the context of those challenging times immediately following 9/11. For me, I had just returned to Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-think-it-is-important-to-recall-the-context-of-those-challenging/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [As I look back on my first year as Director, I am more in awe of the men and women at CIA than ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/as-i-look-back-on-my-first-year-as-director-i-am-more-in-awe-of-the/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I think it's very important, I think for any leader as you go through a career you have to learn the leadership lessons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-think-it-s-very-important-i-think-for-any-leader-as-you-go-through/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I stand on the shoulders of heroines who never sought public acclaim but served as inspirations to the generations that came after them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-heroines-who-never-sought-public-acclaim/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [Intelligence services all over the world, in order to retain their competitive edge, have to adapt or they won't survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/intelligence-services-all-over-the-world-in-order-to-retain-their/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [I recall my first foreign agent meeting was on a dark, moonless night with an agent I'd never met before. When I picked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-recall-my-first-foreign-agent-meeting-was-on-a-dark-moonless-night/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) [Explore all 54 Gina Haspel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) ## More Allow quotes > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Please don't allow anyone to make you feel less than what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/please-don-t-allow-anyone-to-make-you-feel-less-than-what-you-are/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [Verbs allow you to communicate a story in a much more converged or involuntary way for a reader. The verbs allow you to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/verbs-allow-you-to-communicate-a-story-in-a-much-more-converged-or/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [Markets are designed to allow individuals to look after their private needs and to pursue profit. It's really a great invention and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/markets-are-designed-to-allow-individuals-to-look-after-their-private/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [Nothing has power over you unless you allow it. No matter what happens, you can choose what and how to think, act, and speak!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-has-power-over-you-unless-you-allow-it-no-matter-what-happens/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you don't allow people to contribute, to offer their point of view, or to criticize what has been put before them, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/if-you-don-t-allow-people-to-contribute-to-offer-their-point-of-view/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [While we welcome people of all faiths in America we cannot be so naive as to expect all countries to do the same. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-huffington/while-we-welcome-people-of-all-faiths-in-america-we-cannot-be-so/) [Michael Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-huffington/) > [“Allow yourself some happiness, so that I can be a part of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/montgomery-mahaffey/allow-yourself-some-happiness-so-that-i-can-be-a-part-of-it/) [Montgomery Mahaffey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/montgomery-mahaffey/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“Sometimes life doesn't allow us to be free to fly wherever we'd like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elana-johnson/sometimes-life-doesn-t-allow-us-to-be-free-to-fly-wherever-we-d-like/) [Elana Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elana-johnson/) > [I am that which I am, and I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/i-am-that-which-i-am-and-i-am-willing-to-allow-all-others-to-be-that/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [By letting go, you allow everything to find it's rightful place. Once free, everything finds its way home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-brown/by-letting-go-you-allow-everything-to-find-it-s-rightful-place-once/) [Leon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-brown/) > [As long as a man's heart beats, as long as a man's flesh quivers, I do not allow that a being gifted with thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-long-as-a-man-s-heart-beats-as-long-as-a-man-s-flesh-quivers-i-do/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Allow yourself to graduate, every five years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-guisewite/allow-yourself-to-graduate-every-five-years/) [Cathy Guisewite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-guisewite/) > [“A man will only do what you allow him to do,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kennedi-dior/a-man-will-only-do-what-you-allow-him-to-do/) [Kennedi Dior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kennedi-dior/) [Browse all 1,065 Allow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is immoral, even if it is technically legal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gina Haspel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activity-that-is-immoral-even-if/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Allow" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activity-that-is-immoral-even-if/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/966/gina-haspel-12527_allow_i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activ_1666357.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that is immoral, even if it is technically legal.” — Gina Haspel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gina Haspel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I would not allow CIA to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activity-that-is-immoral-even-if/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/i-would-not-allow-cia-to-undertake-activity-that-is-immoral-even-if/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```