Some men get the world, some men get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona. You're in with the former, but my God I don't envy the blood on your conscience.
Interpretation
The quote contrasts two types of experiences: wealth and moral compromise.
In this quote, James Ellroy reflects on the stark difference between those who achieve significant success and those who may gain fleeting pleasures but at a moral cost. It suggests that while some may have the world at their feet, this comes with responsibilities and ethical dilemmas, indicating that personal success may be tainted by the choices made along the way, filled with guilt and conscience issues.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about the ethical implications of success.
Today, no walls can separate humanitarian or human rights crises in one part of the world from national security crises in another. What begins with the failure to uphold the dignity of one life all too often ends with a calamity for entire nations.
Suddenly Yankel was overcome with a fear of dying, stronger than he felt when his parents passed of natural causes, stronger than when his only brother was killed in the flour mill or when his children died, stronger even than when he was a child and it first occurred to him that he must try to understand what it could mean not to be alive -- to be not in darkness, not in unfeeling -- to be not being, not to be.
Hamilton had one of those extraordinary 18th-century minds that touched on virtually every major topic of the day.
On the back of Satan's neck is a nail scarred footprint.
Cultivated leisure is the aim of man.
Sick or well, blind or seeing, bond or free, we are here for a purpose and however we are situated, we please God better with useful deeds than with many prayers or pious resignation. The temple or church is empty unless the good of life fills it . . . holy if only . . . we offer the only sacrifices ever commanded-the love that is stronger than hate and the faith that overcometh doubt.
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