Flesh and blood Quote by Jack Henry Abbott
““I would never say, to justify a lapse in principle, "I am only human"--as though that were some kind of justification for weakness, moral weakness. Flesh and blood is much, much stronger than fools believe.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Interview with Jack Henry Abbott, 1992
Moral weakness cannot be excused by claiming humanity; personal responsibility outweighs biological excuses.
In simple terms: Being human isn’t an excuse for moral failings.
Key Takeaway
Own your choices, not your biology.
Themes
responsibility
ethics
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- legal defense
- personal relationships
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
personal accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever use “I’m only human” to avoid blame?
- How can we balance empathy with accountability?
A Different Perspective
Human frailty is real, but it doesn’t absolve ethical lapses.
![“Nothing, not even the best and noblest, can go on as it now is. Nothing, not even what is lowest and most bestial, will not be raised again if it submits to death. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Flesh and blood cannot come to the Mountains [heaven]. Not because they are…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba6/anonymous-1_arise_nothing-not-even-the-best-and-noblest-ca_27244.jpg)
![“[T]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can buy them Christmas presents, but there is no way to send them. Sometimes I feel like I should be able to walk into the next room and there they will be, but they won't…” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c19/laurell-k-hamilton-199_able_t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-ar_73321.jpg)
![“Listen to these words of [apostle] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness that's in high places." It's in "high places" that the plot against Black and Brown, and poor White is going…” quote by Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/152/louis-farrakhan-1264_apostle-paul_listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we_95649.jpg)