--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because some people are so stupid to…" description: "\"“Because some people are so stupid to believe there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. That it's easy to make that kind of distinction and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png" --- # Because some people are so stupid to believe there are… ![“Because some people are so stupid to believe there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. That it's easy to make that kind of distinction and go to sleep at night with a clear conscience. Because it's okay. It's okay to kill a man if someone else deems him unfit to live. What I really want…” quote by Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png) > ““Because some people are so stupid to believe there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. That it's easy to make that kind of distinction and go to sleep at night with a clear conscience. Because it's okay. It's okay to kill a man if someone else deems him unfit to live. What I really want to say is who the hell are you and who are you to decide who gets to die. Who are you to decide who should be killed. Who are you tell me which father I should destroy and which child I should orphan and which mother should be left without her son, which brother should be left without a sister, which grandmother should spend the rest of her life crying in the early hours of the morning because the body of her grandchild was buried in the ground before her own.”” [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote challenges the moral certainty of labeling people as wholly good or evil, exposing the danger of justifying violence through simplistic moral binaries. **In simple terms:** Questioning simple good‑evil labels reveals moral complexity. Key Takeaway Avoid judging others without understanding their context. Themes morality justice power violence empathy Mood angry reflective critical Type philosophical political literary When to use this quote - war - judicial decisions - family conflict - political oppression - personal vendettas Key Concepts ethical relativism dehumanization authority moral ambiguity Questions to Reflect On - Who decides who lives or dies? - How does labeling simplify complex humanity? A Different Perspective Moral certainty can ignore nuance and lead to abuse of power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clear conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-conscience/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Good and evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-and-evil/) ## Related quotes > [“It’s okay to kill a man if someone else deems him unfit to live. What I really want to say is who the hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/it-s-okay-to-kill-a-man-if-someone-else-deems-him-unfit-to-live-what/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“What I really want to say is who the hell are you and who are you to decide who gets to die. Who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/what-i-really-want-to-say-is-who-the-hell-are-you-and-who-are-you-to/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“some people are so stupid that they actually think there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. That it’s easy to make that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/some-people-are-so-stupid-that-they-actually-think-there-are-thick/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“You can’t just decide to be happy.” “No, you can’t. But you can sure as hell decide to be miserable. Is that what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/you-can-t-just-decide-to-be-happy-no-you-can-t-but-you-can-sure-as-2/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“But your ’mest is in there doing Evil Earth knows what, and I’m basically asking you if it’s okay to kill her, because that’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/but-your-mest-is-in-there-doing-evil-earth-knows-what-and-i-m/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“I don’t know why loss, cruelty, or other such things exist in the world - but I have this moment only (yesterday is gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-know-why-loss-cruelty-or-other-such-things-exist-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes people want to have full conversations really early in the morning and its okay to kill those people :P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/sometimes-people-want-to-have-full-conversations-really-early-in-the/) [Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/) > [“...there are just some people you cannot find the good in. But who am I to decide if someone should be killed for murdering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/there-are-just-some-people-you-cannot-find-the-good-in-but-who-am-i/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“I know that no one is my judge. I live according to my own conscience and value discernments which are governed by Holy Spirit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mishi-mccoy/i-know-that-no-one-is-my-judge-i-live-according-to-my-own-conscience/) [Mishi McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mishi-mccoy/) > [There is nothing in the world that could make me turn from the law. With a clear conscience, I am prepared to answer for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djemal-pasha/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-that-could-make-me-turn-from-the-law/) [Djemal Pasha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djemal-pasha/) > [What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/what-can-be-added-to-the-happiness-of-a-man-who-is-in-health-out-of/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-have-clean-air-and-water-and-beautiful-natural-foods-for/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [A clear conscience is the softest pillow in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-r-narayana-murthy/a-clear-conscience-is-the-softest-pillow-in-the-world/) [N. R. Narayana Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-r-narayana-murthy/) > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## More by Tahereh Mafi > [His hands are holding my cheeks, and he pulls back just to look me in the eye and his chest is heaving and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/his-hands-are-holding-my-cheeks-and-he-pulls-back-just-to-look-me-in/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“think Adam is looking to break Kenji’s neck at this point.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/think-adam-is-looking-to-break-kenji-s-neck-at-this-point/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I didn't want the clothes or the perfect shoes or the expensive anything. I didn't want to be draped in silk. All I ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-didn-t-want-the-clothes-or-the-perfect-shoes-or-the-expensive/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“infinite points of feeling for every nerve ending in my body”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/infinite-points-of-feeling-for-every-nerve-ending-in-my-body/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“He's too much. Everything about him is too much. His emotions, his actions, his anger, his aggression. His love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/he-s-too-much-everything-about-him-is-too-much-his-emotions-his/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“Right now I can't even control my own imagination as it grips my hair and drags me into the dark”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/right-now-i-can-t-even-control-my-own-imagination-as-it-grips-my-hair/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I want you, I want all of you. I want you inside and out and catching your breath and aching for me like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-want-you-i-want-all-of-you-i-want-you-inside-and-out-and-catching/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I will give no one the satisfaction of my death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-will-give-no-one-the-satisfaction-of-my-death/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I almost forget that she still hates me, despite how hard I’ve fallen for her. And I’ve fallen. So hard. I’ve hit the ground.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-almost-forget-that-she-still-hates-me-despite-how-hard-i-ve-fallen/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/all-i-ever-wanted-was-to-reach-out-and-touch-another-human-being-not/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“It's the kind of kiss that makes you realize oxygen is overrated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/it-s-the-kind-of-kiss-that-makes-you-realize-oxygen-is-overrated/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“That’s when I understand. Of course she’s not okay. Of course she didn’t get any sleep last night. Last night she almost killed one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/that-s-when-i-understand-of-course-she-s-not-okay-of-course-she-didn/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I used to have a family. He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-used-to-have-a-family-he/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“I've never been able to follow through.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-ve-never-been-able-to-follow-through/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“ground where it smells like ice and metal and dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/ground-where-it-smells-like-ice-and-metal-and-dirt/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) [Explore all 821 Tahereh Mafi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) ## More Clear conscience quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [A clear conscience is the softest pillow in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-r-narayana-murthy/a-clear-conscience-is-the-softest-pillow-in-the-world/) [N. R. Narayana Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-r-narayana-murthy/) > [There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-have-clean-air-and-water-and-beautiful-natural-foods-for/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/what-can-be-added-to-the-happiness-of-a-man-who-is-in-health-out-of/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [There is nothing in the world that could make me turn from the law. With a clear conscience, I am prepared to answer for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djemal-pasha/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-that-could-make-me-turn-from-the-law/) [Djemal Pasha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djemal-pasha/) > [“I know that no one is my judge. I live according to my own conscience and value discernments which are governed by Holy Spirit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mishi-mccoy/i-know-that-no-one-is-my-judge-i-live-according-to-my-own-conscience/) [Mishi McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mishi-mccoy/) > [People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/people-who-have-tried-it-tell-me-that-a-clear-conscience-makes-you/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [I know the rules and have a clear conscience. I'm an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-know-the-rules-and-have-a-clear-conscience-i-m-an-atheist/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [Veganism gives us all the opportunity to say what we "stand for" in life- the ideal of healthy, humane living. Add decades to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-watson/veganism-gives-us-all-the-opportunity-to-say-what-we-stand-for-in/) [Donald Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-watson/) > [Regardless of nationality, all men are brothers. God is "our Father who art in heaven." The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is unconditional and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-salmon/regardless-of-nationality-all-men-are-brothers-god-is-our-father-who/) Ben Salmon > [A consoling thought: what matters is not what we do, but the spirit in which we do it. Others suffer too; so much so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/a-consoling-thought-what-matters-is-not-what-we-do-but-the-spirit-in/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [Well this would have been a much more sribualous weekend. In any case spring is well in hand and summer is at the doorstep.We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-this-would-have-been-a-much-more-sribualous-weekend-in-any-case/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I know for sure is that it's only when you make the process your goal that the big dream can follow. That doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/what-i-know-for-sure-is-that-it-s-only-when-you-make-the-process-your/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [A "just war" is hospitable to every self-deception on the part of those waging it, none more than the certainty of virtue, under whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-cockburn/a-just-war-is-hospitable-to-every-self-deception-on-the-part-of-those/) [Alexander Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-cockburn/) [Browse all 143 Clear conscience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-conscience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Because some people are so stupid to believe there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. That it's easy to make that kind of distinction and go to sleep at night with a clear conscience. Because it's okay. It's okay to kill a man if someone else deems him unfit to live. What I really want to say is who the hell are you and who are you to decide who gets to die. Who are you to decide who should be killed. Who are you tell me which father I should destroy and which child I should orphan and which mother should be left without her son, which brother should be left without a sister, which grandmother should spend the rest of her life crying in the early hours of the morning because the body of her grandchild was buried in the ground before her own.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tahereh Mafi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-believe-there-are-thick-neon/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clear conscience" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-believe-there-are-thick-neon/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d96/tahereh-mafi-229_clear-conscience_because-some-people-are-so-stupid-to-bel_1998003.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Because some people are so stupid to believe there are thick neon lines separating good and evil. 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