Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
A knight expresses confusion about dying for a woman he does not know.
In plain terms
He does not know this woman but is expected to die for her.
What can you take from it?
Sacrifice requires a personal connection to feel meaningful.

Where it applies

  • military service
  • political duty
  • personal sacrifice

Putting it to work

  • question orders
  • seek connection

Questions to consider

  • When is it right to die for a cause?
  • Do we owe loyalty to strangers?

Another view

It assumes personal knowledge is required for noble sacrifice.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. This is why so many knights have died. This is why troy fell, for a woman like this

    Permalink to quote #549

  2. Was his very boyishness the reason he was chosen? In that case, was it not a virtue to be admired, and not a failing to be despised?

    Permalink to quote #551

  3. There was majesty in the child, and only banality in this marriage:marriage is about banality. Its purpose is banality, to create an environment of surpassing …

    Permalink to quote #548

Related quotes

  1. I am conscious of having served England as I served my own country.

    Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch quote #3

  2. If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.

    Harvey MilkHarvey Milk quote #1

  3. I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I'm going to the big Dodger in the sky. [1]

    Tommy LasordaTommy Lasorda quote #1