Hail mary Quote by Orson Welles
““I believe that we're much healthier if we think of our selfishness as sin. Which is what it is: a sin. Even if there is nothing out there except a random movement of untold gases and objects, sin still exists. You don't need a devil with horns. It's a social definition of sin. Everything we do that is self-indulgent, and that is selfish, and that turns us away from our dignity as human beings is a sin against what we were born with, the capacities we have, what we could make of this planet. Our whole age has taken the line that if you feel bad about yourself, it's something that you can be relieved of by your goddamn analyst. Psst!—it's gone! And then you'll be happy, you know? But that feeling is not something you should be relieved of. It's something you should deal with. And there's no remission for what I mean by "sin," except doing something useful. The confessional does the same thing as the shrink, rather more quickly and cheaper. Three "Hail Mary"s, and you're out. But I've never been the kind of religious person that thinks saying "Hail Mary" is gonna get me out of it.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Atlantic, “The Moral Compass of a Filmmaker”, 1975
The speaker argues that selfishness is a moral failing, a sin, independent of supernatural belief, and that confronting it requires purposeful action rather than quick absolution.
In simple terms: Selfishness is a sin that must be faced with useful deeds.
Key Takeaway
Act responsibly, not just seek relief.
Themes
ethics
selfhood
responsibility
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
motivational
critical.
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- environmental stewardship
- mental health
- confessional practices
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you confront selfish impulses constructively?
- What actions turn self‑indulgence into contribution?
A Different Perspective
Quick fixes like prayer or therapy may not address deeper moral accountability.
