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On the one hand, you've got people who're working here to alleviate poverty, to help rid the world of the pandemic of AIDS. They're working on ways to have a clean environment... And on the other hand, you've got people killing innocent people. The contrast couldn't be clearer, between the intentions and the hearts of those of us who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and those who kill: those who've got such evil in their hearts that they will take the lives of innocent folks. The war on terror goes on. - July 7, 2005; speaking to the press outside the G8 Conference at Gleneagles, in response to the London bombings. BBC News 24.

George W. Bush#423

WarPoliticsHuman rightsMoralityViolenceContrast

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bush contrasts humanitarian efforts with terrorist violence.
In plain terms
Some help others while others kill innocents.
What can you take from it?
Choose to help, not harm.

Where it applies

  • terrorist attacks
  • policy speeches
  • moral reasoning

Putting it to work

  • framing conflict
  • advocating rights
  • motivating action

Questions to consider

  • What drives violence?
  • How to counter evil?

Another view

It oversimplifies complex geopolitical motivations.

More from George W. Bush

  1. Can you imagine if my name had been Mungo Bush?

    Permalink to quote #422
  2. I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts and if someone committed a crime they will no longer work in my administration.

    Permalink to quote #424
  3. It is complex

    Permalink to quote #421

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