--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have to certainly stand for life. I…" description: "\"I have to certainly stand for life. I know that there are some who disagree, and I respect their point of view. But I believe that life begins at conce..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a8/richard-mourdock-23977_abortion_i-have-to-certainly-stand-for-life-i-kno_99476.png" --- # I have to certainly stand for life. I know that there are… ![“I have to certainly stand for life. I know that there are some who disagree, and I respect their point of view. But I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have on abortion is in that case - of the life of the mother. I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I…” quote by Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a8/richard-mourdock-23977_abortion_i-have-to-certainly-stand-for-life-i-kno_99476.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a8/richard-mourdock-23977_abortion_i-have-to-certainly-stand-for-life-i-kno_99476.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a8/richard-mourdock-23977_abortion_i-have-to-certainly-stand-for-life-i-kno_99476.png) > “I have to certainly stand for life. I know that there are some who disagree, and I respect their point of view. But I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have on abortion is in that case - of the life of the mother. I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God.” [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker asserts that life begins at conception, allowing abortion only to save the mother's life, framing life as a divine gift. **In simple terms:** Life starts at conception; abortion only for mother’s survival. Key Takeaway Life’s origin defines moral limits on abortion. Themes ethics pro-life religion human rights Mood determined reflective Type political statement moral claim When to use this quote - legislative debates on abortion - medical decisions in pregnancy complications Key Concepts personhood moral hierarchy Practical Applications - policy framing - public advocacy Questions to Reflect On - What criteria should determine moral status? - How do religious beliefs shape public policy? A Different Perspective The definition of when life begins is contested across scientific, philosophical, and cultural lines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Gift from god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift-from-god/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Begins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-begins/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I'm Catholic. I believe life begins at conception, but I'm also American, and I believe in the separation of church and state. A woman's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-lamb/i-m-catholic-i-believe-life-begins-at-conception-but-i-m-also/) [Conor Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-lamb/) > [I don't believe life begins at conception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-don-t-believe-life-begins-at-conception/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [A favorite pro-abortion tactic is to insist that the definition of when life begins is impossible; that the question is a theological or moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-nathanson/a-favorite-pro-abortion-tactic-is-to-insist-that-the-definition-of/) [Bernard Nathanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-nathanson/) > [I do believe life begins at conception. The very first time I ran for election, I took out an editorial in the local newspaper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stockwell-day/i-do-believe-life-begins-at-conception-the-very-first-time-i-ran-for/) [Stockwell Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stockwell-day/) > [Conservatives believe that from the standpoint of the federal government, life begins at conception and ends at birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/conservatives-believe-that-from-the-standpoint-of-the-federal/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [The science is settled; it's not even a consensus, it is a unanimity that human life begins at conception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-science-is-settled-it-s-not-even-a-consensus-it-is-a-unanimity/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Life begins at conception, but allow early abortions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-thompson/life-begins-at-conception-but-allow-early-abortions/) [Fred Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-thompson/) > [The Republicans have long had a platform of being pro-life. And I'm someone that believes life begins at conception and should be protected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/the-republicans-have-long-had-a-platform-of-being-pro-life-and-i-m/) [Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/) > [People say life begins at conception, I say life began about a billion years ago and it's a continuous process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/people-say-life-begins-at-conception-i-say-life-began-about-a-billion/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I am pro-life, I believe human life begins at conception. I also believe that embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-frist/i-am-pro-life-i-believe-human-life-begins-at-conception-i-also/) [Bill Frist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-frist/) > [The Catholic Church did not always teach that life begins at conception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/the-catholic-church-did-not-always-teach-that-life-begins-at/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [As an O.B. doctor of thirty years, and having delivered 4,000 babies, I can assure you life begins at conception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/as-an-o-b-doctor-of-thirty-years-and-having-delivered-4-000-babies-i/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [Now we allow that life begins with conception, because we contend that the soul also begins from conception; life taking its commencement at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/now-we-allow-that-life-begins-with-conception-because-we-contend-that/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## More by Richard Mourdock > [I believe God controls the universe. I don't believe biology works in an uncontrolled fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-believe-god-controls-the-universe-i-don-t-believe-biology-works-in/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I am a very even-keeled guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-am-a-very-even-keeled-guy/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I didn't grow up in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-didn-t-grow-up-in-politics/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I will always call Darmstadt, Indiana, home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-will-always-call-darmstadt-indiana-home/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [Even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/even-when-life-begins-in-that-horrible-situation-of-rape-that-is/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [The fact is, you never compromise on principles. If people on the far Left, they have a principle to stand by, they should never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/the-fact-is-you-never-compromise-on-principles-if-people-on-the-far/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I think the best thing we can do is sell that idea of smaller government - of fiscal responsibility vs. the Obama record. Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-think-the-best-thing-we-can-do-is-sell-that-idea-of-smaller/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [Bipartisanship has taken us to the brink of bankruptcy. We don't need bipartisanship, we need application of principle... Where was the call for bipartisanship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/bipartisanship-has-taken-us-to-the-brink-of-bankruptcy-we-don-t-need/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I don't believe biology works in an uncontrolled fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-don-t-believe-biology-works-in-an-uncontrolled-fashion/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I have a mindset that says bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-have-a-mindset-that-says-bipartisanship-ought-to-consist-of/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [I used to dig around the sandbox and pull out pieces of coal and show them to my mother, and she used to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/i-used-to-dig-around-the-sandbox-and-pull-out-pieces-of-coal-and-show/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [It's a beautiful thing at 60 to know who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/it-s-a-beautiful-thing-at-60-to-know-who-you-are/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [What I've said about compromise, I hope to build a conservative majority so bipartisanship becomes Democrats joining Republicans to roll back the size of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/what-i-ve-said-about-compromise-i-hope-to-build-a-conservative/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [People in Indiana like to see their politicians at the county fair or the Rotary Club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/people-in-indiana-like-to-see-their-politicians-at-the-county-fair-or/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) > [Let's do away with the Departments of Education, Energy Commerce, Housing and Urban Development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mourdock/let-s-do-away-with-the-departments-of-education-energy-commerce/) [Richard Mourdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) [Explore all 25 Richard Mourdock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mourdock/) ## More Abortion quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/) Madison Badesheim > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/) [Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/) > [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/) Sonya Renee Taylor > [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/) [Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/) > [Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/any-woman-should-have-the-right-to-a-safe-and-legal-abortion/) [Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/) > [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [I think fundamentally, the real power behind the anti-choice movement in regard to abortion and the opposition to the rights of LGBT Americans is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/i-think-fundamentally-the-real-power-behind-the-anti-choice-movement/) [Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/) [Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have to certainly stand for life. I know that there are some who disagree, and I respect their point of view. But I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have on abortion is in that case - of the life of the mother. 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