---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And…"
description: "\"Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still believe abortion is one of the greater tragedies of our generation.\" — Michael Waltz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg"
---

#  Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still…

![“Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still believe abortion is one of the greater tragedies of our generation.” quote by Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg)

> “Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still believe abortion is one of the greater tragedies of our generation.”

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker acknowledges witnessing terrible events but still views abortion as a major societal tragedy, reflecting a moral hierarchy of suffering.

**In simple terms:** Even after seeing horror, abortion is seen as a great tragedy.

Key Takeaway

Recognize complex moral perspectives.

Themes

ethics politics human suffering abortion societal values

Mood

reflective serious

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- legislative debate
- personal reflection
- advocacy
- media commentary

Key Concepts

moral hierarchy value judgment public policy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do personal experiences shape moral judgments?
- What criteria determine societal tragedies?

A Different Perspective

Some argue other issues may be equally tragic.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Abortion Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion-greater-1743115/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-abortion-1153764/) [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) [Greater Tragedies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-tragedies-1743116/) [Horrible things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horrible-things/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [Seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seen/)

## Related quotes

> [I believe every abortion is a tragedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-abbott/i-believe-every-abortion-is-a-tragedy/)

[Diane Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-abbott/)

> [If I believe that abortion is wrong, and I want to convince you that it's wrong, there's no reason I should recount to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/if-i-believe-that-abortion-is-wrong-and-i-want-to-convince-you-that/)

[Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/)

> [I believe abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I believe that since Roe v Wade has been the law for 20…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-believe-abortion-should-be-safe-and-legal-in-this-country-i-believe/)

[Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/)

> [I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-believe-that-abortion-should-be-safe-and-legal-in-this-country/)

[Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/)

> [We've consistently seen, since the late 1990s, that more than half of women believe that abortion should be severely restricted or abolished altogether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-wattleton/we-ve-consistently-seen-since-the-late-1990s-that-more-than-half-of/)

[Faye Wattleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-wattleton/)

> [I do not believe in abortion at will. I do not believe that if a woman just wants to have an abortion she should...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-reagan/i-do-not-believe-in-abortion-at-will-i-do-not-believe-that-if-a-woman/)

[Nancy Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-reagan/)

> [Like the pro-slavery forces who invaded Kansas, the pro-abortion forces in Washington and elsewhere want us to believe that abortion is not murder; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-huelskamp/like-the-pro-slavery-forces-who-invaded-kansas-the-pro-abortion/)

[Tim Huelskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-huelskamp/)

> [For a deeply religious purpose, there are people who do not personally believe that abortion is acceptable. I understand that. But this is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-murray/for-a-deeply-religious-purpose-there-are-people-who-do-not-personally/)

[Patty Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-murray/)

> [I believe abortion should be available to everyone, but the law should be changed. In the past I voted for a restriction to 22…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-howard/i-believe-abortion-should-be-available-to-everyone-but-the-law-should/)

[Michael Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-howard/)

> [The perspective of people who truly believe that abortion is wrong. I understand that, I'm empathetic to that, I get it. But the place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hill/the-perspective-of-people-who-truly-believe-that-abortion-is-wrong-i/)

[Katie Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hill/)

> [I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/i-really-don-t-believe-in-abortion-it-s-like-killing-a-baby/)

[Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/)

> [I believe abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. I do think women should have a choice but also that women should be making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-believe-abortion-should-be-safe-legal-and-rare-i-do-think-women/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [Because I believe that abortion is murder, I also believe that force is justified in an attempt to stop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-rudolph/because-i-believe-that-abortion-is-murder-i-also-believe-that-force/)

[Eric Rudolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-rudolph/)

> [I believe that abortion is morally wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-pryor/i-believe-that-abortion-is-morally-wrong/)

[William H. Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-pryor/)

> [I believe that abortion is the taking of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-pryor/i-believe-that-abortion-is-the-taking-of-human-life/)

[William H. Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-pryor/)

## More by Michael Waltz

> [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [As long as Biden refuses to secure our southern border, Americans shouldn't be asked to continue funding the defense of Ukraine's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/as-long-as-biden-refuses-to-secure-our-southern-border-americans/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Astronautical and aeronautical research and development are a key part of Central Florida's economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/astronautical-and-aeronautical-research-and-development-are-a-key/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [The Chinese Communist Party is not seeking to share world leadership in a responsible way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/the-chinese-communist-party-is-not-seeking-to-share-world-leadership/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Throughout my 23 years of service as a Green Beret, I've learned a few different things. The military teaches you perseverance, discipline, and teamwork…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/throughout-my-23-years-of-service-as-a-green-beret-i-ve-learned-a-few/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Our military has taught Americans the value of camaraderie and understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/our-military-has-taught-americans-the-value-of-camaraderie-and/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Most Americans are sympathetic to Ukraine and understand Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion is the next big step in his goal of recreating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/most-americans-are-sympathetic-to-ukraine-and-understand-russian/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [We pride ourselves on having the best trained warfighters in the world and keeping them at home only makes us less prepared for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/we-pride-ourselves-on-having-the-best-trained-warfighters-in-the/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Our American liberty defines our great nation. Let us each learn and do all we can to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/our-american-liberty-defines-our-great-nation-let-us-each-learn-and/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [As one of our most trusted allies, Israel is an ideal partner on our journey to improving veteran health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/as-one-of-our-most-trusted-allies-israel-is-an-ideal-partner-on-our/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Some of the fondest memories I have as a kid were watching launches from the beach or my backyard with my mother in Jacksonville.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/some-of-the-fondest-memories-i-have-as-a-kid-were-watching-launches/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [We need a new Monroe Doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, one that prioritizes the security and prosperity for the United States and our neighbors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/we-need-a-new-monroe-doctrine-for-the-western-hemisphere-one-that/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Every American from Orlando to Los Angeles should have an understanding of our country's history. We should know how our government works and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/every-american-from-orlando-to-los-angeles-should-have-an/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [I have tremendous respect for General Milley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-have-tremendous-respect-for-general-milley/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

[Explore all 100 Michael Waltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

## More Abortion quotes

> [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/)

[Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/)

> [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/)

[Madison Badesheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-badesheim/)

> [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/)

[Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/)

> [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/)

[Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/)

> [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/)

[John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/)

> [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/)

[Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/)

> [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/)

[Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/)

> [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/)

[Sonya Renee Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-renee-taylor/)

> [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/)

[Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/)

> [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/)

[Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/)

> [Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/any-woman-should-have-the-right-to-a-safe-and-legal-abortion/)

[Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/)

> [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/)

[J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/)

> [I think fundamentally, the real power behind the anti-choice movement in regard to abortion and the opposition to the rights of LGBT Americans is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/i-think-fundamentally-the-real-power-behind-the-anti-choice-movement/)

[Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/)

[Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still believe abortion is one of the greater tragedies of our generation.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Waltz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-yet-i-still-believe-abortion-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Abortion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-yet-i-still-believe-abortion-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a44/michael-waltz-5654_abortion_frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-ye_1766965.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And yet, I still believe abortion is one of the greater tragedies of our…” — Michael Waltz",
                "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 Waltz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Frankly, I've seen horrible things. And...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-yet-i-still-believe-abortion-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/frankly-i-ve-seen-horrible-things-and-yet-i-still-believe-abortion-is/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
