Better man Quote by Michael Shaara
““The truth is, Colonel, that there's no divine spark, bless you. There's many a man alive no more value than a dead dog. Believe me, when you've seen them hang each other...Equality? Christ in Heaven. What I'm fighting for is the right to prove I'm a better man than many. Where have you seen this divine spark in operation, Colonel? Where have you noted this magnificent equality? The Great White Joker in the Sky dooms us all to stupidity or poverty from birth. no two things on earth are equal or have an equal chance, not a leaf nor a tree. There's many a man worse than me, and some better, but I don't think race or country matters a damn. What matters is justice. 'Tis why I'm here. I'll be treated as I deserve, not as my father deserved. I'm Kilrain, and I God damn all gentlemen. I don't know who me father was and I don't give a damn. There's only one aristocracy, and that's right here - " he tapped his white skull with a thick finger - "and YOU, Colonel laddie, are a member of it and don't even know it. You are damned good at everything I've seen you do, a lovely soldier, an honest man, and you got a good heart on you too, which is rare in clever men. Strange thing. I'm not a clever man meself, but I know it when I run across it. The strange and marvelous thing about you, Colonel darlin', is that you believe in mankind, even preachers, whereas when you've got my great experience of the world you will have learned that good men are rare, much rarer than you think.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane, 1895
The speaker argues that divine equality and justice are myths; he sees merit and justice as personal struggles, dismissing inherited status and emphasizing individual worth.
In simple terms: Divine equality is a myth; personal merit matters.
Focus on personal justice and merit.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military life
- courtroom drama
- personal ambition
- ethical debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true merit?
- Is justice achievable without societal structures?
The monologue may romanticize individualism while ignoring systemic oppression.