---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You do not have the right to take another…"
description: "\"You do not have the right to take another human's life, unless it's in strict self-defense.\" — Michael Moore"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png"
---

#  You do not have the right to take another human's life…

![“You do not have the right to take another human's life, unless it's in strict self-defense.” quote by Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png)

> “You do not have the right to take another human's life, unless it's in strict self-defense.”

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

One may not end another’s life except in strict self‑defense, emphasizing the moral limit on taking life.

**In simple terms:** Only self‑defense justifies killing another.

Key Takeaway

Respect life, limit violence.

Themes

ethics violence rights

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- law enforcement
- military conflict
- personal safety

Key Concepts

self‑defense moral law human rights

Questions to Reflect On

- When is self‑defense truly justified?
- What safeguards prevent abuse?

A Different Perspective

Self‑defense claims can be ambiguous and misused.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-defense/)

## Related quotes

> [The company will never go to the market. We want to keep strict self-financing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingvar-kamprad/the-company-will-never-go-to-the-market-we-want-to-keep-strict-self/)

[Ingvar Kamprad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingvar-kamprad/)

> [When your purpose and your occupation is giving confidence to people, teaching self defense, giving empowerment, teaching a positive lifestyle to other people, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rener-gracie/when-your-purpose-and-your-occupation-is-giving-confidence-to-people/)

[Rener Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rener-gracie/)

> [I learned the technology and tradecraft of electronic security in self defense, with a lot of expert help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/i-learned-the-technology-and-tradecraft-of-electronic-security-in/)

[Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/)

> [No. I took this job in self-defense. Quain burns everything. Belen thinks jerky is all we need to survive. Flea's idea of a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/no-i-took-this-job-in-self-defense-quain-burns-everything-belen/)

[Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/)

> [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are-2/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Karate is not a game. It is not a sport. It is not even a system of self-defense. Karate is half physical exercise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mas-oyama/karate-is-not-a-game-it-is-not-a-sport-it-is-not-even-a-system-of/)

[Mas Oyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mas-oyama/)

> [Given the genocidal belligerence of Iranian threats against Israel, it is hard to take issue with Israel's right to preemptive self-defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/given-the-genocidal-belligerence-of-iranian-threats-against-israel-it/)

[Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/)

> [Behind the deceptive words designed to entice people into supporting violence -- words like democracy, freedom, self-defense, national security -- there is the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/behind-the-deceptive-words-designed-to-entice-people-into-supporting/)

[Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/)

> [All art is an intensely vulnerable gesture, and it is made with no small amounts of risk, and fear. So, I have plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/all-art-is-an-intensely-vulnerable-gesture-and-it-is-made-with-no/)

[Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/)

> [“Your self-defense becomes a self-defeat when you are doing it for selfish reasons! It's not about you and your pocket alone; let it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/your-self-defense-becomes-a-self-defeat-when-you-are-doing-it-for/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [A good soldier is a blind, heartless, soulless, murderous machine. He is not a man. His is not a brute, for brutes kill only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/a-good-soldier-is-a-blind-heartless-soulless-murderous-machine-he-is/)

[Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/)

> [Self-defense is the clearest of all laws, and for this reason: lawyers didn't make it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-william-jerrold/self-defense-is-the-clearest-of-all-laws-and-for-this-reason-lawyers/)

[Douglas William Jerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-william-jerrold/)

> [I do not believe in loving enemies; I have pretty hard work to love my friends. Neither do I believe in revenge. No man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/i-do-not-believe-in-loving-enemies-i-have-pretty-hard-work-to-love-my/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

> [Israel has a couple of hundred nuclear weapons and also chemical and biological weapons. This stockpile is not only a threat in itself but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/israel-has-a-couple-of-hundred-nuclear-weapons-and-also-chemical-and/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Michael Moore

> [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [You share things with people and I think information, and art, and ideas should be shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-share-things-with-people-and-i-think-information-and-art-and/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [The purpose of art actually is, in many cases, to make you feel quite uncomfortable. Or at least to go to that place that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-purpose-of-art-actually-is-in-many-cases-to-make-you-feel-quite/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [Capitalism is against the things that we say we believe in - democracy, freedom of choice, fairness. It's not about any of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/capitalism-is-against-the-things-that-we-say-we-believe-in-democracy/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [We live in a time when fictitious election results elect a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/we-live-in-a-time-when-fictitious-election-results-elect-a-fictitious/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [A government run by billionaires for billionaires is an affront to freedom and morality and humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/a-government-run-by-billionaires-for-billionaires-is-an-affront-to/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [There Is No Terrorist Threat In This Country. This Is A Lie. This Is The Biggest Lie We've Been Told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-is-no-terrorist-threat-in-this-country-this-is-a-lie-this-is/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [The real problem with the IRS is that they let General Electric not pay any taxes -- and 50 other corporations -- that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-real-problem-with-the-irs-is-that-they-let-general-electric-not/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [Hope for the best is what we do, right from the moment we're born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/hope-for-the-best-is-what-we-do-right-from-the-moment-we-re-born/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [I get called 'controversial' all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-get-called-controversial-all-the-time/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [This book, 'Stupid White Men,' has sold now over four million copies worldwide. Probably about half of that may be in the U.S. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/this-book-stupid-white-men-has-sold-now-over-four-million-copies/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [There's nothing pure about capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-s-nothing-pure-about-capitalism/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [If we say, 'The government sucks,' we're kind of saying that we suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-we-say-the-government-sucks-we-re-kind-of-saying-that-we-suck/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [Nobody was talking about healthcare until 'Sicko' came out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/nobody-was-talking-about-healthcare-until-sicko-came-out/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

> [I have enormous respect for anyone who would offer to sacrifice their life to defend my right to live. Is there any greater gift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-have-enormous-respect-for-anyone-who-would-offer-to-sacrifice-their/)

[Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

[Explore all 339 Michael Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/)

## More Defense quotes

> [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/)

[Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/)

> [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/)

[Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [My last defense / Is the present tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-brooks/my-last-defense-is-the-present-tense/)

[Gwendolyn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-brooks/)

> [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/)

[Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/)

> [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/)

[Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/)

> [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You say I have a bad attitude. But have you ever stopped to check yours?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-marie/you-say-i-have-a-bad-attitude-but-have-you-ever-stopped-to-check-yours/)

Tasha Marie

> [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy. You've got to release six, eight, ten years back tax returns. Take the hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/he-should-release-the-tax-returns-tomorrow-it-s-crazy-you-ve-got-to/)

[William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/)

> [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

> [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/)

[Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/)

Browse all 2,426 Defense quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "You do not have the right to take another human's life, unless it's in strict self-defense.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Moore"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-another-human-s-life-unless-it-s-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Defense"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-another-human-s-life-unless-it-s-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e95/michael-moore-884_defense_you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-anothe_172828.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You do not have the right to take another human's life, unless it's in strict self-defense.” — Michael Moore",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Michael Moore",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "You do not have the right...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-another-human-s-life-unless-it-s-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-do-not-have-the-right-to-take-another-human-s-life-unless-it-s-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
