--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to do what you think is the…" description: "\"“You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just make sure it's the right thing in the long run, and not just for the moment. Your war memor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa5/john-knowles-4729_a-separate-peace_you-have-to-do-what-you-think-is-the-rig_2005392.jpg" --- # You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just… ![“You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just make sure it's the right thing in the long run, and not just for the moment. Your war memories will be with you forever, you'll be asked about them thousands of times after the war is over.” quote by John Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa5/john-knowles-4729_a-separate-peace_you-have-to-do-what-you-think-is-the-rig_2005392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa5/john-knowles-4729_a-separate-peace_you-have-to-do-what-you-think-is-the-rig_2005392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa5/john-knowles-4729_a-separate-peace_you-have-to-do-what-you-think-is-the-rig_2005392.jpg) > ““You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just make sure it's the right thing in the long run, and not just for the moment. Your war memories will be with you forever, you'll be asked about them thousands of times after the war is over.”” [John Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knowles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Act ethically with long‑term perspective; war memories persist and will be repeatedly questioned. **In simple terms:** Do the right thing now and think about future impact; war memories stay with you. Key Takeaway Consider lasting consequences before acting. Themes ethics war memory long‑term thinking personal responsibility Mood thoughtful reflective Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - decision making - veteran counseling - historical education - memory preservation Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology of trauma historical reflection Questions to Reflect On - What long‑term effects might your choices have? - How do you handle repeated questioning about past trauma? A Different Perspective May overlook immediate practical needs in favor of abstract ideals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [A-separate-peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-separate-peace/) [John-knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-knowles-97597/) [Long run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-run/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Moment War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment-war-431966/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) [Sands of time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sands-of-time/) [Think Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-right/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-memories-2595199/) ## Related quotes > [Your war memories will be with you forever, you'll be asked about them thousands of times after the war is over. 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Not even death by violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knowles/nothing-endures-not-a-tree-not-love-not-even-death-by-violence/) [John Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knowles/) > [“He was nodding his head, his jaw tightening and his eyes closed on the tears. “I believe you. It’s okay because I understand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knowles/he-was-nodding-his-head-his-jaw-tightening-and-his-eyes-closed-on-the/) [John Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knowles/) [Explore all 107 John Knowles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knowles/) ## More A-separate-peace quotes > [“I saw on the pad not an operator's number from my home town, but one which seemed to interrupt the beating of my heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knowles/i-saw-on-the-pad-not-an-operator-s-number-from-my-home-town-but-one/) [John Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knowles/) > [“But Brinker came in. 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