Break Quote by Jodi Picoult
“Bad is not an absolute, but a relative term. Ask the robber who used the cash he stole to feed his infant; the rapist who was sexually abused as a child; the kidnapper who truly believed he was saving a life. And just because you break the law doesn't mean you have intentionally crossed the line into evil. Sometimes the line creeps up on you, and before you know it, you're standing on the other side.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Two Ways, Jodi Picoult, 2020
Moral judgments are context‑dependent; actions deemed illegal may stem from desperate circumstances, blurring the line between wrongdoing and survival.
In simple terms: Right and wrong depend on circumstances.
Key Takeaway
Consider context before condemning.
Themes
ethics
law
relativity
humanity
empathy
Mood
empathetic
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- court cases
- social work
- family crises
- policy debates
Key Concepts
moral relativism
justice
survival instincts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true evil?
- When should law yield to compassion?
A Different Perspective
Not all illegal acts are morally evil.
