Cold blooded Quote by John Edgar Wideman
“I'm very hard-nosed and cold-blooded and I can walk past a drowning man. If I have someplace else to go, well, tough s**t. I could do that. I can. Have. Sometimes, not because I was callous but had to do it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Philadelphia Fire, John Edgar Wideman, 1990
A person may act cold and detached, prioritizing personal goals over helping others in crisis.
In simple terms: Choosing self-interest over compassion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when self-preservation harms others.
Themes
selfishness
morality
empathy
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- workplace decisions
- emergency situations
- personal relationships
- career advancement
Key Concepts
ethical dilemmas
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you prioritized self‑interest over helping someone?
- What would change if you chose compassion?
A Different Perspective
May ignore long‑term consequences of neglecting others.
![“They [terrorists] are trying to evoke sympathy for themselves. They're not sympathetic people. They're violent, cold-blooded killers who are trying to stop the advance of freedom.” quote by George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a2/george-w-bush-64_cold_they-terrorists-are-trying-to-evoke-symp_813402.jpg)
![“[Insects] are not only cold-blooded, and green- and yellow-blooded, but are also cased in a clacking horn. They have rigid eyes and brains strung down their backs. But they make up the bulk of our comrades-at-life, so I look to them for a glimmer of companionship.” quote by Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23e/annie-dillard-509_brain_insects-are-not-only-cold-blooded-and-gr_94933.jpg)
