Bible Quote by Mary Doria Russell
““Once I told Ha�anala about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. . . . I told her how Abraham bargained with God for the lives of ten righteous men who might have lived there. She said to me, �Abraham should have taken the babies from the cities. The babies were innocent.�””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sparrow, 1996
Compassion for the innocent can conflict with broader moral calculations.
In simple terms: Compassion vs. duty.
Key Takeaway
Balance empathy and duty.
Themes
morality
compassion
duty
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- humanitarian aid
- conflict zones
Key Concepts
ethical dilemmas
theodicy
Questions to Reflect On
- When does protecting the innocent become impractical?
- How do you weigh individual lives against larger outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Compassion alone may not resolve complex crises.
![“[John] watched the flames for a while. "I would have to say that I find God in serving His children. 'When I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stanger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, sick and you cared for me, imprisoned and you came to me.'"…” quote by Mary Doria Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a0f/mary-doria-russell-3319_break-your-heart_john-watched-the-flames-for-a-while-i-wo_172417.jpg)
