Scout Quote by Harper Lee
““Scout," said Atticus, "When summer comes you'll you'll have to keep your head about far worse things…it's not fair for you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down - well, all I can say is when you and Jem are grown, maybe you'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down. This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience - Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man." "Atticus, you must be wrong…" "How's that?" "Well, most folks seem to think that, they're right and you're wrong…" "They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their options," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.””
About This Quote
Atticus teaches that personal conscience outweighs societal pressure; moral integrity requires acting according to inner convictions despite external judgments.
In simple terms: Do what feels right, not what others deem right.
Key Takeaway
Follow your conscience, even when unpopular.
Themes
morality
conscience
integrity
social pressure
personal responsibility
Mood
reflective
determined
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom trial
- family guidance
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
ethical dilemma
inner conflict
courage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when conscience conflicts with majority opinion?
- What sacrifices are worth making for integrity?
A Different Perspective
Balancing personal values with community expectations can be painful.
![“...[Summer] was a thousand colors in a parched landscape...” quote by Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3f2/harper-lee-451_landscape_summer-was-a-thousand-colors-in-a-parche_44716.jpg)
