And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of honor in a conflict, showing how it can be a saving grace.
In this quote, Orson Scott Card reflects on the contrasting motivations of himself and another individual during a fight. While he acknowledges his own intention to win at all costs, he admires the opponent's honorable conduct, which ultimately preserved his life. This highlights the moral complexities in battles, where honor can lead to unexpected outcomes and perhaps even mercy amidst conflict.
Themes
HonorFightCourageVictoryCompetition
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about integrity in sports, one might say, 'As I was reminded, his sense of honor saved my life.'
More from Orson Scott Card
All quotes →The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win.
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Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, Where there's smoke there's fire, when the saying should have been, Where there's scandalous lies there's always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.
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The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
Orson Scott CardRead
You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
Orson Scott CardRead
I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
Orson Scott CardRead
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