982a.15, W. Ross, trans., The Basic Works of Aristotle (2001), p. 691.
Metaphysics
“It must be a burden, not even being able to say you were just obeying orders.”
“Well, that is always a lie, or a sign you are fighting for an unworthy cause, or still have a very long way to develop civilisationally.”
Source: Culture series, Look to Windward (2000), Chapter 13 “Some Ways of Dying” (p. 312)
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Iain Banks 139
Scottish writer 1954–2013Related quotes
"Runaround" in Astounding Science Fiction (March 1942); later published in I, Robot (1950)
The Three Laws of Robotics (1942)
“I am a Widow's Son, outlawed and my orders must be obeyed”
Jerilderie Letter (1879)
Context: Neglect this and abide by the consequences, which shall be worse than the rust in the wheat of Victoria or the druth of a dry season to the grasshoppers in New South Wales I do not wish to give the order full force without giving timely warning, but I am a Widow's Son, outlawed and my orders must be obeyed.
To Leon Goldensohn (25 June 1946). Quoted in "The Nuremberg Interviews", Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellatel (2004).
Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 506.