If I could, Sister James, I would certainly choose to live in innocence. But innocence can only be wisdom in a world without evil. Situations arise and we are confronted with wrongdoing and the need to act.

John Patrick Shanley
About This Quote

The quote, “If I could, Sister James, I would certainly choose to live in innocence. But innocence can only be wisdom in a world without evil. Situations arise and we are confronted with wrongdoing and the need to act,” shows how important it is to make decisions about actions that are not necessarily virtuous or noble. The quote is written as if the speaker wants to do nothing but act with perfect integrity, but realizes that they will inevitably have to do something that they know is immoral. It is easy for people to decide what is the right thing to do when they are not faced with wrongdoers or wronged persons.

Source: Doubt

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More Quotes By John Patrick Shanley
  1. If I could, Sister James, I would certainly choose to live in innocence. But innocence can only be wisdom in a world without evil. Situations arise and we are confronted with wrongdoing and the need to act.

  2. I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a...

  3. Father Brendan Flynn: "A woman was gossiping with her friend about a man whom they hardly knew - I know none of you have ever done this. That night, she had a dream: a great hand appeared over her and pointed down on her. She...

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