Fear Quote by John Steakley
““Because it was the right thing?" "Oh shit, I hope not." "Afraid of becoming noble?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. "That too. But basically, that's the worst reason I can think of for killing. 'That its the right thing to do'. You kill out of outrage or fury or to keep from dying or something like it, that's fine. Hell, kill them rather than bother with them - or be bothered by them. But if you're killing them because 'its the right thing to do', its only the right thing because you've done so many wrong things up until then to make that spot. It's not the right thing to do. It's the best of the last of your choices." "That's the longest I've ever heard you talk at one time." "That's because you never ask me about my hair.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Warriors” (or similar speculative fiction)
Killing justified as “the right thing” is often a rationalization for past wrongs; true motives are complex and self‑serving.
In simple terms: Right‑thing killings hide deeper flaws.
Key Takeaway
Question motives before acting.
Themes
morality
justification
self-deception
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military actions
- personal vendettas
- legal defenses
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
psychology of violence
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we claim moral superiority?
- Can we ever act without self‑interest?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments can be biased by personal history.
