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About this quote

What does it mean?
Saving someone's life might not align with their desire to live.
In plain terms
Did you ask if they wanted to be saved?
What can you take from it?
Check consent before acting for someone.

Where it applies

  • medical decisions
  • rescue missions
  • relationships

Putting it to work

  • ask first
  • respect choice

Questions to consider

  • When should you decide for others?
  • Is saving always good?

Another view

Sometimes people can't consent.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. You must be careful. You must never know things you couldn't possibly know. It makes people upset

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  2. Who are you, god? You decide who's supposed to live and how?

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  3. The truth was that neither the first nor the second test proved anything. But if they thought it proved something, he was just as dead.

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