Bank robbery Quote by Neil Gaiman
““Shadow was amused, and a little puzzled, to realize that he was far more concerned about breaking the rules by climbing onto the carousel than he had been aiding and abetting this afternoon’s bank robbery.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: American Gods, Neil Gaiman, 2001
A character is more worried about breaking a minor rule than about a serious crime, highlighting selective moral focus.
In simple terms: People often overreact to small infractions while ignoring bigger wrongs.
Key Takeaway
Notice where you prioritize rules over impact.
Themes
morality
rulebreaking
priorities
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- workplace ethics
- law enforcement
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize minor rules over larger harms?
- How does this affect your judgment?
A Different Perspective
The focus on trivial rules can distract from addressing serious issues.
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_amused_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
