Detective Quote by William Peter Blatty
““She could kill someone else. Who’s to know?” Once again the detective turned and squinted out across the river. “It’s a problem,” he said quietly and morosely. “What to do? Hypothetically, I mean. Just forget it? Forget it and hope she gets”—Kinderman paused—“gets well?” He reached for a handkerchief and blew his nose. “Oh, well, I just don’t know. I don’t know. It’s a terrible decision,” he said as he searched for a clean, unused section of the handkerchief. “Yes, it’s awful. Just awful. Horrific. And I hate to be the one who has to make it.” He again””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, 1971
A detective wrestles with a moral dilemma about intervening in a life‑threatening situation, feeling helpless and conflicted.
In simple terms: A tough moral choice leaves him feeling helpless.
Key Takeaway
Aigh the weight of the decision.
Themes
morality
dilemma
responsibility
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- investigating crimes
- medical emergencies
- legal judgments
- personal crises
Key Concepts
ethical conflict
psychological tension
decision fatigue
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you do if you could not see the outcome?
- How does uncertainty affect moral choices?
A Different Perspective
The decision may be limited by lack of information and personal bias.
![“He [Ryan White] had a kind of angelic aura about him. And his family, too, it's like, they are going through all this suffering, and I'm living this "Life of Riley" and I'm complaining about everything, and they are living this horrific life and complaining about nothing.” quote by Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da9/elton-john-849_angelic_he-ryan-white-had-a-kind-of-angelic-aura_116360.jpg)
