Doing the right thing Quote by Omar El Akkad
““One day this will end. In liberation, in peace, or in eradication at a scale so overwhelming it resets history. It’ll end when sanctions pile up high enough, or the political cost of occupation and apartheid proves debilitating. When finally there is no other means of preserving self-interest but to act, the powerful will act. The same people who did the killing and financed the killing and justified the killing and turned away from the killing will congratulate themselves on doing the right thing. It is very important to do the right thing, eventually.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: American War by Omar El Akkad, 2017
The quote warns that oppressive regimes will eventually resort to extreme measures when their interests are threatened, rationalizing violence as “right.”
In simple terms: Powerful groups may justify violent actions as necessary when their control is challenged.
Key Takeaway
Beware how self‑interest can justify extreme actions.
Themes
power
morality
conflict
politics
justice
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- human rights advocacy
- peacebuilding
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
imperialism
ethical rationalization
escalation
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives a regime to claim moral righteousness?
- How can societies prevent escalation?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex geopolitical dynamics and ignore grassroots resistance.
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