“There's such a big difference between being dead and alive, I told myself, and the greatest sin a person can do to another is to take away that life. Next to that, all the rules and religions in the world are secondary; mere words and beliefs that people choose to believe and kill and hate by. My life won't be lived that way, and neither, I hope, will my children's.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by James McBride, the speaker reflects on the value of life and the importance of not taking it for granted or ending it prematurely. The speaker emphasizes that the act of taking away someone's life is the greatest sin one can commit, surpassing any religious doctrine or societal rules. The message conveyed is a powerful reminder to value and respect the inherent dignity of every individual's life. The speaker also expresses a hope that their children will carry on this belief and choose to live their lives with the same level of respect and compassion.
Example of Usage
In this quote, James McBride reflects on the value of life and the importance of preserving it above all else. He highlights the impact of taking someone's life and emphasizes the need to live with compassion and respect for all individuals.
Modern Relevance
In today's society, with ongoing debates surrounding topics such as capital punishment, euthanasia, and war, James McBride's words about the sanctity of life resonate more strongly than ever. The quote emphasizes the importance of valuing and respecting human life above all else, highlighting the need for empathy, compassion, and understanding in a world often plagued by violence and conflict.
Reflection Questions:
After reading this powerful quote by James McBride, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
What do you think McBride means by the statement, "There's such a big difference between being dead and alive"? How does this perspective shape his views on the value of life?
How do you interpret the idea that the greatest sin one can commit is to take away another person's life? Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Why?
McBride mentions that rules and religions are secondary to the value of life. How do you think this belief influences his actions and decisions in life?
Reflecting on your own values and beliefs, how do you prioritize the sanctity of life in your interactions with others? In what ways do you strive to uphold the value of life in your own life and in the lives of those around you?
In what ways do you think McBride's hope that his children will not live a life filled with hatred and violence can be achieved in today's world? What steps can individuals take to prevent the senseless taking of lives and promote peace and understanding instead?
Similar quotes
“The greatest gift that anyone can give anyone is LIFE. And the greatest sin a person can do is to take away that life. NEXT to that, all rules and religions in the worldare secondary, mere words and beliefs that people CHOOSE to believe and KILL and HATE by.”
“My parents were nonmaterialistic. They believed that money without knowledge was worthless, that education tempered with religion was the way to climb out of poverty in America, and over the years they were proven right.”
“Sometimes without conscious realization, our thoughts, our faith, out interests are entered into the past. We talk about other times, other places, other persons, and lose our living hold on the present. Sometimes we think if we could just go back in time we would be happy. But anyone who attempts to reenter the past is sure to be disappointed. Anyone who has ever revisited the place of his birth after years of absence is shocked by the differences between the way the place actually is, and the way he has remembered it. He may walk along old familiar streets and roads, but he is a stranger in a strange land. He has thought of this place as home, but he finds he is no longer here even in spirit. He has gone onto a new and different life, and in thinking longingly of the past, he has been giving thought and interest to something that no longer really exists.”
“...since I was a little boy, she had always wanted me to go. She was always sending me off on a bus someplace, to elementary school, to camp, to relatives in Kentucky, to college. She pushed me away from her just as she'd pushed my elder siblings away when we lived in New York, literally shoving them out the front door when they left for college. ”
“I was ashamed of my mother, but see, love didn't come natural to me until I became a Christian.- Ruth McBride”
“On top of all that, you're naked. And while I'm going to hate myself for this later, could you put on some clothes? At least just for a little while, so I can think. Then you can go right back to being naked. All the time. With my full blessing.”