Brotherhood Quote by Julian Barnes
““Adrian's fragment also refers to the question of responsibility: whether there's a chain of it, or whether we draw the concept more narrowly. I'm all for drawing it narrowly. Sorry, no, you can't blame your dead parents, or having brothers and sisters, or not having them, or your genes, or society, or whatever - not in normal circumstances. Start with the notion that yours is the sole responsibility unless there's powerful evidence to the contrary.””
About This Quote
Responsibility is primarily individual unless strong evidence shows external factors dictate outcomes.
In simple terms: Take personal responsibility unless proven otherwise.
Key Takeaway
Own your choices.
Themes
responsibility
individualism
ethics
agency
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
contemplative
When to use this quote
- decision making
- personal development
- ethical debates
- policy design
Key Concepts
moral accountability
causality
self‑determination
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would shift responsibility away from the individual?
- How do we balance personal blame with systemic influences?
A Different Perspective
Complex social factors can limit personal control.
![“The best way to marginalize the Muslim Brotherhood [in Egypt] is in the ballot box, not through arrests and killing people.” quote by Kelly Ayotte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/473/kelly-ayotte-18873_ballots_the-best-way-to-marginalize-the-muslim-b_273.jpg)
