Bears Quote by Philip Pullman
“If a witch needs something, another witch will give it to her. If there is war to be fought, we don't consider cost one of the factors in deciding whether or not it is right to fight. Nor do we have any notion of honor. An insult to a bear is a deadly thing. To us...inconceivable. How could you insult a witch? What would it matter if you did?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Dust, 2017
Witches exchange needs, war disregards cost and honor, and insults are deadly; moral ambiguity pervades.
In simple terms: Witches trade needs; war ignores honor.
Key Takeaway
Question morality.
Themes
war
witchcraft
honor
Mood
thoughtful
dark
Type
philosophical
fantasy
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- political strategy
- personal ethics
- storytelling
Key Concepts
ethics
fantasy
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines honor in war?
- Can insults be justified?
A Different Perspective
Simplifies complex ethics.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
