---
title: "'But we should kill him!' 'No. You've been listen to Brocando too oft… — Terry Pratchett Quote #71 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "'But we should kill him!' 'No. You've been listen to Brocando too often,' said Bane. Brocando bristled. 'You know what he is! Why not kill--' he bega… — a quote by Terry Pratchett."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # 'But we should kill him!' 'No. You've been listen to Brocando too often,' said Bane. Brocando bristled. 'You know what he is! Why not kill--' he began, but he was interrupted. 'Because it doesn't matter what he is. It matters what we are.'

[Terry Pratchett](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett)\#71

[Philosophy](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett/philosophy/)[Identity](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett/identity/)[Choice](https://quotesby.net/topics/choice/)[Morality](https://quotesby.net/topics/morality/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Identity is defined by your choices and actions, not by what others are or have done.In plain termsWhat matters is who you are, not who the enemy is.What can you take from it?Your character defines you, not your enemies.

### Where it applies

- moral dilemmas
- interpersonal conflict

### Putting it to work

- Focus on your actions
- Define yourself by choices

### Questions to consider

- How do you define your character?
- Does the enemy's nature change your actions?

### Another view

Sometimes context and identity of others matter legally.

## More from Terry Pratchett

1. > 'Waiting is the worst part,' said Pismire. 'No it isn't,' said Owlglass, who wasn't even being trusted to hold a sword. 'I expect that having long sharp swords…

[Permalink to quote \#70](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett/70/ "Permalink to quote 70")
2. > Our garden was debated territory between five local cats, and we'd heard that the best way to keep other cats out of the garden was to have one yourself. A mom…

[Permalink to quote \#72](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett/72/ "Permalink to quote 72")
3. > 'What would Deftmenes be if we went around obeying orders all the time?' 'They might be ruling the Carpet,' said Pismire. 'Ha!' said Brocando, 'but the trouble…

[Permalink to quote \#69](https://quotesby.net/Terry-Pratchett/69/ "Permalink to quote 69")

## Related quotes

1. > What interest, zest, or excitement can there be in achieving the right way, unless we are enabled to feel that the wrong way is also a possible and a natural w…

[William James](https://quotesby.net/William-James)[William James quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/William-James/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")
2. > The good or ill of man lies within his own will.

[Epictetus](https://quotesby.net/Epictetus)[Epictetus quote \#6](https://quotesby.net/Epictetus/6/ "Permalink to quote 6")
3. > Moi ! moi qui me suis dit mage ou ange, dispense de toute morale, je suis rendu au sol.

[Arthur Rimbaud](https://quotesby.net/Arthur-Rimbaud)[Arthur Rimbaud quote \#21](https://quotesby.net/Arthur-Rimbaud/21/ "Permalink to quote 21")

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