Abandon Quote by Whittaker Chambers
“At issue in the Hiss Case was the question whether this sick society, which we call Western civilization, could in its extremity still cast up a man whose faith in it was so great that he would voluntarily abandon those things which men hold good, including life, to defend it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Testimony before HUAC, 1948
He questions whether a deeply flawed Western society can still inspire someone to sacrifice everything, even life, for its ideals.
In simple terms: Can a broken civilization still inspire ultimate sacrifice?
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of defending ideals.
Themes
civilization
faith
sacrifice
extremes
morality
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal conviction
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
existentialism
political philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What values justify self‑destruction?
- Is defending a flawed system ever justified?
A Different Perspective
The notion of sacrifice may ignore personal well‑being and rational choice.
![“It [Communism] is not new. It is, in fact, man's second oldest faith. Its promise was whispered in the first days of the Creation under the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil: "Ye shall be as gods." It is the great alternative faith of mankind. Like all great faiths, its force derives from a…” quote by Whittaker Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/391/whittaker-chambers-13841_communism_it-communism-is-not-new-it-is-in-fact-ma_160564.jpg)
