It was just him and me. He fought with honor. If it weren't for his honor, he and the others would have beaten me together. They might have killed me, then. His sense of honor saved my life. I didn't fight with honor... I fought to win.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Honor saved the speaker's life, but they fought only to win.
- In plain terms
- An enemy's honor spared me, though I fought ruthlessly.
- What can you take from it?
- Honor can save lives even in brutal conflicts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does honor matter in war?
- Would you fight differently?
Another view
Fighting to win without honor risks losing humanity.
More from Orson Scott Card
At last he came to a door, with these words in glowing emeralds: the end of the world. He did not hesitate. He opened the door and stepped through.
Permalink to quote #16 Ender would be pleased - every one of them was stupid.
Permalink to quote #18 Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to be controlled by good people, by people who love you.
Permalink to quote #15
Related quotes
A military man can scarcely pride himself on having 'smitten a sleeping enemy'; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten. I would rather you m…
Isoroku YamamotoIsoroku Yamamoto quote #1 If survival calls for the bearing of arms, bear them you must. But the most important part of the challenge is for you to find another means that does not come…
Rod SerlingRod Serling quote #2 I believe in this tragic hour you can make the right choice. The honor and glory of Russian men of arms shall not be stained with the blood of the people.
Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin quote #5