Quotes About Responsibility

But there was no hiding from Conscience. Not in new homes and new cars. In travel. In meditation or frantic activity. In children, in good works. On tiptoes or bended knee. In a big career. Or a small cabin. It would find you. The past always did. Which was why... it was vital to be aware of actions in the present. Because the present became the past, and the past grew. And got up, and followed you. And found you... Who wouldn't be afraid of this?

Abby Hoffman said we should all eat what we kill. That would put an end to war.

Consequences," said Gamache. "We must always consider the consequences of our actions. Or inaction. It won't necessarily change what we do, but we need to be aware of the effect.

I've been desperately unhappy in my life." Her voice was quiet. "Have you, Chief Inspector?" It wasn't a response he could have predicted. He nodded. "I thought so. I think people who have had that experience and survived have a responsibility to help others. We can't let someone drown where we were saved.

When someone stabs you it's not your fault that you feel pain.

There are generally three parties to child abuse: the abused, the abuser and the bystander.

Most people want to be led. But suppose they choose the wrong leader? They end up with the Donner party.

We choose our thoughts. We choose our perceptions. We choose our attitudes

Why do decent young men and women become bullies? Why do soldiers dream of being heroes but end up abusing prisoners and shooting civilians? Why do politicians become corrupt? Why do cops beat suspects senseless and break the laws they're meant to protect?

Maybe that's what old men are for. To make decisions that no young man can." He was watching Gamache closely. "Or should have to.

Look at Nuremberg. Why did the Holocaust happen?" "Because deluded, power-crazy leaders needed a common enemy," said Clara. "No," said Myrna. "It happened because no one stopped them. Not enough people stood up soon enough.

He was tired of the tyranny of the greater good.

Long dead and buried in another town My mother isn't finished with me yet.

conscience is not necessarily a good thing. How many gays are beaten, how many abortion clinics bombed, how many blacks lynched, how many Jews murdered, by people just following their conscience?

Life is choice. All day, everyday. Who we talk to, where we sit, what we say, how we say it. And our lives become defined by our choices. It's as simple and as complex as that. And as powerful.

Life is choice. All day, every day. Who we talk to, where we sit, what we say, how we say it. And our lives become defined by our choices. It's as simple and as complex as that. And as powerful. So when I'm observing, that's what I'm watching for. The choices people make.

When I miss things or let them pass they gather in a heap then rise up and take a life. So, I try not to.

The banality of evil. It wasn't the frothing madman. It was the conscientious us.

The fault lies with us, and only us. It's not fate, not genetics, not bad luck, and it's definitely not Mom and Dad. Ultimately it's us and our choices...but the most powerful spectacular thing is that the solution rests with us as well.

Do no harm was part of Hippocrates's writing, but from a different text. On epidemics.

Waiting for someone to save them. Expecting someone to save them or at least protect them from the big, bad world. The thing is no one else can save them because the problem is theirs and so is the solution. Only they can get out of it.

He was reminded again what Abbie Hoffman had said: We must eat what we kill. That would put an end to war.

Each day they tracked down killers. Each day they put their own lives on the line. And in return they were scapegoated. Chained to the ground, food for politicians looking for reelection.

You are a man with a protective instinct. To care that deeply is a blessing. But like most blessings, it can also be a curse.