--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because it was the right thing?\" \"Oh…" description: "\"“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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-steakley-52190_fear_because-it-was-the-right-thing-oh-shit-i_1921453.jpg" --- # Because it was the right thing?" "Oh shit, I hope not."… ![“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…” quote by John Steakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-steakley-52190_fear_because-it-was-the-right-thing-oh-shit-i_1921453.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-steakley-52190_fear_because-it-was-the-right-thing-oh-shit-i_1921453.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-steakley-52190_fear_because-it-was-the-right-thing-oh-shit-i_1921453.jpg) > ““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.”” [John Steakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steakley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) ## Related quotes > [“Well, what you ding this kind of work for--against your own people?" "Three dollars a day. 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It just makes people dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/team-starkid/you-might-think-killing-people-might-them-make-them-like-them-but-it/) Team Starkid > [“Mortals are easily tempted to pinch the life out of their neighbor's buzzing glory, and think that such killing is no murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/mortals-are-easily-tempted-to-pinch-the-life-out-of-their-neighbor-s/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [I would, therefore, say that for no reason whatsoever, except in self-defense, should one think of killing any animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morarji-desai/i-would-therefore-say-that-for-no-reason-whatsoever-except-in-self/) [Morarji Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morarji-desai/) > [Sometimes I think about killing myself Because I have no reason to live But then I think, I have no reason to die either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-bird/sometimes-i-think-about-killing-myself-because-i-have-no-reason-to/) Pearl Bird > [If you think killing people is a solution to a problem, I not only disagree with you but also I hate your perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-sufyan-ibn-harb/if-you-think-killing-people-is-a-solution-to-a-problem-i-not-only/) [Abu Sufyan ibn Harb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-sufyan-ibn-harb/) > [I like 'Mad Men,' and I think 'The Killing' is pretty great too. I like 'Brothers & Sisters.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-brandt/i-like-mad-men-and-i-think-the-killing-is-pretty-great-too-i-like/) [Betsy Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-brandt/) > [I thought dying for your country was the worst thing that could happen to you. I think killing for your country can be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-kerrey/i-thought-dying-for-your-country-was-the-worst-thing-that-could/) [Bob Kerrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-kerrey/) ## More by John Steakley > [You are What you do When it counts" - Armor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steakley/you-are-what-you-do-when-it-counts-armor/) [John Steakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steakley/) > [“You are What you do When it counts" - The Masao”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steakley/you-are-what-you-do-when-it-counts-the-masao/) [John Steakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steakley/) > [“Oh, My God..." 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