Barbarians Quote by Glen Cook
““You who come after me, scribbling these Annals, by now realize that I shy off portraying the whole truth about our band of blackguards. You know they are vicious, violent, and ignorant. They are complete barbarians, living out their cruelest fantasies, their behavior tempered only by the presence of a few decent men. I do not often show that side because these men are my brethren, my family, and I was taught young not to speak ill of kin. The old lessons die hardest.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Black Company by Glen Cook, 1984
The narrator hides harsh truths about a violent group to protect loved ones, showing loyalty conflicts.
In simple terms: He hides truth to protect kin.
Key Takeaway
Loyalty can blind moral judgment.
Themes
loyalty
family
truth
conflict
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- political negotiations
- personal memoirs
- ethical training
Key Concepts
moral ambiguity
family ties
historical narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- When does loyalty become complicity?
- How to speak truth without harming loved ones?
A Different Perspective
Protecting kin may perpetuate injustice.
