Conscience Quote by Joseph Brodsky
“One always pulls the trigger out of self-interest and quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The End of the Past, 1995
People often justify selfish actions by invoking historical precedent, evading moral accountability.
In simple terms: Self‑interest hides behind history.
Recognize personal motives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political decision‑making
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine historical insight from self‑serving rationalization?
- What responsibility do we bear when we use history to excuse actions?
Historical citations can be selective and misleading.