As Hegel said, tragedy was not the conflict between right and wrong but right and right, a dilemma none of us who wanted to participate in history could escape. The major had the right to live, and I was right to kill him. Wasn't I?

Viet Thanh Nguyen
About This Quote

The major was right, but I was right. Wasn't I? Not only did the old man have the right to live, but he had the right to his life. Perhaps he didn’t deserve to die. Perhaps I killed him mistakenly.

Perhaps it wasn’t my place to kill him, even though he had the right to live. But I did. And I killed him with my own hands.

Source: The Sympathizer

Some Similar Quotes
  1. When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable. - Jess C. Scott
  2. The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends. - Friedrich Nietzsche
  3. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection - Sharon Salzberg
  4. In youth, it was a way I had, To do my best to please. And change, with every passing lad To suit his theories. But now I know the things I know And do the things I do, And if you do not like me... - Dorothy Parker
  5. You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and... - Sharon Salzberg
More Quotes By Viet Thanh Nguyen
  1. As Hegel said, tragedy was not the conflict between right and wrong but right and right, a dilemma none of us who wanted to participate in history could escape. The major had the right to live, and I was right to kill him. Wasn't I?
  2. I believe our clever young man has intuited that while only the pursuit of happiness is promised to all Americans, unhappiness is guaranteed for many.
  3. This feat I also had no idea how to accomplish, but ignorance had never stopped me from taking action before.
  4. No one asks poor people if they want war.
  5. All wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory.
Related Topics