--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who…" description: "\"A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who am I? (Answer: me.)\" — Jack Handey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/jack-handey-829_answers_a-quiz-if-i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-who-a_628982.jpg" --- # A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who am I? (Answer: me.) ![“A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who am I? (Answer: me.)” quote by Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/jack-handey-829_answers_a-quiz-if-i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-who-a_628982.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/jack-handey-829_answers_a-quiz-if-i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-who-a_628982.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/jack-handey-829_answers_a-quiz-if-i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-who-a_628982.jpg) > “A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who am I? (Answer: me.)” [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A rhetorical puzzle that flips the familiar phrase to reveal self‑identity as the answer. **In simple terms:** The keeper is yourself. Key Takeaway Recognize your own responsibility. Themes self‑awareness identity responsibility Mood playful thought‑provoking Type humorous philosophical When to use this quote - personal reflection - teaching moments - self‑assessment Key Concepts philosophical humor self‑reference Questions to Reflect On - What does being “my brother’s keeper” mean to you? - How does the twist change the moral? A Different Perspective The joke assumes the listener knows the original phrase. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brother's Keeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brothers-keeper/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Deep thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-thought/) ## Related quotes > [If you ask, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is, "You are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-randolph-hearst/if-you-ask-am-i-my-brother-s-keeper-the-answer-is-you-are/) [William Randolph Hearst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-randolph-hearst/) > [I am my brother's keeper, says the chickenshit liberal. Perhaps he does not realize that he now has more than 2 1/2 billion brothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-says-the-chickenshit-liberal-perhaps-he-does/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ''Am I my brother's keeper?'' That question has never yet been answered in a way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/thousands-of-years-ago-the-question-was-asked-am-i-my-brother-s/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [“Am I my brother's keeper? Yes. Interestingly, in my case, I share that honor with the Prospect Park Zoo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/am-i-my-brother-s-keeper-yes-interestingly-in-my-case-i-share-that/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/the-idea-that-we-are-our-brother-s-keeper-and-our-sister-s-keeper/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [There is always a chance that he who sets himself up as his brother's keeper will end up by being his jail-keeper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/there-is-always-a-chance-that-he-who-sets-himself-up-as-his-brother-s/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [ American life is builded ... upon that fundamental philosophy announced by the Savior nineteen centuries ago ... \[It\] can not survive with the defense… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/american-life-is-builded-upon-that-fundamental-philosophy-announced/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [I can't think of anyone I've mistreated. I've always thought that I am my brother's keeper. And I believe there's a 'great spirit' that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-b-king/i-can-t-think-of-anyone-i-ve-mistreated-i-ve-always-thought-that-i-am/) [B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-b-king/) > [ America's not just \[about\] looking out for yourself, it's not just about greed, it's not just about trying to climb to the very top… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-s-not-just-about-looking-out-for-yourself-it-s-not-just-about/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/yes-i-am-my-brother-s-keeper-i-am-under-a-moral-obligation-to-him/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [I believe that we're only as strong as our neighbor is, and the idea that, I'm my brother's keeper works for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/i-believe-that-we-re-only-as-strong-as-our-neighbor-is-and-the-idea/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Although I may not be my brother's keeper, I am my brother's brother, and 'because I have been given much, I too must give.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/although-i-may-not-be-my-brother-s-keeper-i-am-my-brother-s-brother/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [There is a growing threat to the environment, to the vegetation, animals, water and air. Sacred Scripture hands us the image of Cain who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/there-is-a-growing-threat-to-the-environment-to-the-vegetation/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > ["Am I my brother's keeper?" There you have the whole Biblical understanding that you are your brother's keeper. You also have a whole other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/am-i-my-brother-s-keeper-there-you-have-the-whole-biblical/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [“I AM my Brother's Keeper!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/i-am-my-brother-s-keeper/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) ## More by Jack Handey > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [I think the best Thanksgiving we ever had was one where we didn't even have a turkey. Mom and Dad sat us kids down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/i-think-the-best-thanksgiving-we-ever-had-was-one-where-we-didn-t/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be "Clark Kent, Dentist," because you could save money on tooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/at-first-i-thought-if-i-were-superman-a-perfect-secret-identity-would/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Sometimes I wonder if I'm patriotic enough. Yes, I want to kill people, but on both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-i-wonder-if-i-m-patriotic-enough-yes-i-want-to-kill-people/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [I don't understand people who say life is a mystery, because what is it they want to know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/i-don-t-understand-people-who-say-life-is-a-mystery-because-what-is/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [It's probably not a good idea to be chewing on a toothpick if you're talking to the president, because what if he tells a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/it-s-probably-not-a-good-idea-to-be-chewing-on-a-toothpick-if-you-re/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Probably to a shark, about the funniest thing there is is a wounded seal, trying to swim to shore, because WHERE DOES HE THINK…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/probably-to-a-shark-about-the-funniest-thing-there-is-is-a-wounded/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [I wish I lived back in the Old West days, because I'd save up my money for about twenty years so I could buy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/i-wish-i-lived-back-in-the-old-west-days-because-i-d-save-up-my-money/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Why do there have to be rules for everything? It's gotten to the point that rules dominate just about every aspect of our lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/why-do-there-have-to-be-rules-for-everything-it-s-gotten-to-the-point/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Most people don't realize that large pieces of coral, which have been painted brown and attached to the skull by common wood screws, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/most-people-don-t-realize-that-large-pieces-of-coral-which-have-been/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Here's a suggestion for a new animal, if some new ones get created or evolve: something that stings you, then laughs at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/here-s-a-suggestion-for-a-new-animal-if-some-new-ones-get-created-or/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [When you go ice-skating, try not to swing your arms too much, because that really annoys me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/when-you-go-ice-skating-try-not-to-swing-your-arms-too-much-because/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [When you go to a party at somebody's house, don't automatically assume that the drinks are free. Ask, and ask often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/when-you-go-to-a-party-at-somebody-s-house-don-t-automatically-assume/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [He was a cowboy, mister, and he loved the land. He loved it so much he made a woman out of dirt and married…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/he-was-a-cowboy-mister-and-he-loved-the-land-he-loved-it-so-much-he/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [If you were a gladiator in olden days, I bet the inefficiency of how the gladiator fights were organized and scheduled would just drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/if-you-were-a-gladiator-in-olden-days-i-bet-the-inefficiency-of-how/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) [Explore all 358 Jack Handey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A quiz: If I am my brother's keeper, who am I? 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