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You took sides!' So did you. The difference is that I sided with a man who was asking nothing more than to live with dignity... And you were siding with a woman who was using her connection with me as a way of raising herself above other people, which is foolish and self-destructive and I kept waiting for you to say something, for you to do anything to get [her] under control and you never did, not even when [he] was walking out on her because he couldn't take her psychotic hunger for control any longer

Orson Scott Card#706

RelationshipsWarEthicsJusticeIntegrityPower dynamics

About this quote

What does it mean?
Taking a stand against someone who abuses power is justified, even if you are accused of taking sides.
In plain terms
It is right to oppose someone who uses others for selfish gain.
What can you take from it?
Stand up for dignity against manipulation.

Where it applies

  • relationship conflict
  • workplace disputes
  • family dynamics

Putting it to work

  • defend others
  • call out abuse
  • set boundaries

Questions to consider

  • When is it okay to take sides?
  • How do you spot manipulation?

Another view

The argument assumes one side is clearly more right.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. Wishes are a waste of time... They only make you unhappy

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  2. What I am seeing right now is a man who is so dominated by his mother that he is willing to throw away his marriage in order to protect her from the trauma of …

    Permalink to quote #707
  3. Sometimes when people mess up their lives and want to make a fresh start, the way they do it is to go somewhere nobody knows them. You can be a different perso…

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