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You're afraid of the stranger, whether he's utlanning or framling. When you think of killing a man that you know of and value, then it doesn't matter what his shape is. He's varalese then, or worse - djur, the dire beast, that comes in the night with slavering jaws. If you had the only gun in your village, and the beasts that has torn apart one of your people was coming again, would you stop to ask if they also had the right to live, or would you act to save your village, the people that you knew, the people who depended on you?

Orson Scott Card#112

WarFearProtection

About this quote

What does it mean?
Fear turns strangers into monsters, but protecting loved ones may require violence regardless of shape.
In plain terms
Strangers become threats when you fear them, but you must protect your people.
What can you take from it?
Protect your people even against feared strangers.

Where it applies

  • war
  • community safety
  • fear

Putting it to work

  • protecting community

Questions to consider

  • Who do you fear?
  • What would you protect?

Another view

Violence can escalate conflicts further.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. There are worse reasons to die, than to die because you cannot bear to kill What about someone who can't kill, and can't die, and can't live, either? Don't dec…

    Permalink to quote #111
  2. A question isn't an argument, unless you think you know my answer.

    Permalink to quote #113
  3. As long as you keep getting born, it's ok to die sometimes

    Permalink to quote #110

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