Broke Quote by Nina Bawden
“Ten thousand pounds is the legal value of a negligently taken life, of a child or a parent. A cold and somewhat mean-spirited calculation: you would do better if you slipped on a paving-stone and broke a front tooth.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of Secrets, 1970
The quote critiques the cold monetary valuation of human life, exposing the moral emptiness of reducing people to financial figures.
In simple terms: Life shouldn't be priced.
Key Takeaway
Recognize intrinsic human worth.
Themes
ethics
economics
humanity
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal settlements
- insurance claims
- medical negligence
- policy making
Key Concepts
value theory
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly measures a life’s value?
- How can law reflect moral worth?
A Different Perspective
Monetary values can’t capture emotional loss.
![“Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and made it more likely that others would join the ranks of her fallen comrades. Her prison sentence may end in a few months' [time], but her…” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/788/john-mccain-465_afghanistan_thousands-of-americans-have-given-their_26162.jpg)