Time Quote by Margaret Atwood
““These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals. It’s no excuse that what they did was legal at the time: their crimes are retroactive. They have committed atrocities and must be made into examples, for the rest. Though this is hardly needed. No woman in her right mind, these days, would seek to prevent a birth, should she be so lucky as to conceive. What””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, 1985
Legal actions can be immoral; accountability must transcend legality.
In simple terms: Laws may be unjust; we must punish wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Hold perpetrators accountable regardless of law.
Themes
justice
morality
accountability
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- human rights advocacy
- historical reckoning
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
retroactive justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance legal frameworks with moral imperatives?
- When should societies punish past legal actions?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems often lag behind moral consensus.
