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There was no doubt in Ender's mind. There was no help for him. Whatever he faced, now and forever, no one would save him from it. Peter might be scum, but Peter had been right, always right; the power to cause pain is the only power that matters, the power to kill and destroy, because if you can't kill you are always subject to those who can, and nothing no one will ever save you.

Orson Scott Card#21

PowerSurvivalViolenceSecurity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Only physical power and the threat of violence truly matter and protect you.
In plain terms
Power to kill and destroy is the only power that keeps you safe.
What can you take from it?
Strength is necessary to prevent being dominated.

Where it applies

  • conflict zones
  • bullying

Putting it to work

  • build strength
  • maintain deterrence

Questions to consider

  • Is power all that matters?
  • Can kindness survive alone?

Another view

Violence begets more violence and rarely brings peace.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. Individual human beings are all tools, that the others use to help us all survive.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. Human beings didn't evolve brains in order to lie around on lakes. Killing is the first thing we learned. And a good thing we did, or we'd be dead, and the tig…

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. ...Human beings are free except when humanity needs them. Maybe humanity needs you. To do something. Maybe humanity needs me - to find out what you're good for.

    Permalink to quote #19

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