History Quotes / ThouShaltNotKill

-->-- ''[[Literature/TheBible Exodus 20:1,13]]'' (in the Westminster Codex -- the English version is on the main page)

'''Father Lantom:''' There is a wide gulf between inaction and ''murder,'' Matthew. Another man's evil does not make you Good. Men have used the atrocities of their enemies to justify their own throughout history! So the question you have to ask yourself is: Are you struggling with the fact that you don't wanna kill this man--but have to--or that you ''don't'' have to kill him... but want to? "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is the righteous man who gives way before the wicked." [[Literature/TheBible Proverbs 25]] something, I never can remember.[[note]]Proverbs 25:26[[/note]]\\

->''"So [[Literature/JourneyToTheWest Wukong's]] like, 'Don't worry, Master, I know exactly what to do in this situation,' and proceeds to kill all the bandits with his trusty stick-thing. But Tripitaka's like, 'Sun, we don't kill people.' And Wukong's like 'I think you mean YOU don't kill people.' And Tripitaka's like, 'No, no, you're Buddhist now, Buddhists do not kill.' And Wukong's like 'Ooh, look at Mr. Bigshot over here, telling me who I can and can't kill,' and storms off in a huff."''

'''Batman:''' '''No!''' God Almighty-- no. It'd be too damned ''easy.'' All I've ever wanted to do is kill [[ComicBook/TheJoker him]]. A day doesn't go by when I don't think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he's dealt out to others, and then... end him.\\

--> Toa Vakama, ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}'' ''Time Trap''

-->-- ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}'', "Speak of the Devil"

->'''Matt Murdock:''' I know my soul is damned if I take his life. But if I stand idle -- if I If I let him consume this city, all the people that will suffer and die-\\
'''Father Lantom:''' There is a wide gulf between inaction and ''murder,'' Matthew. Another man's evil does not make you Good. Men have used the atrocities of their enemies to justify their own throughout history! So the question you have to ask yourself is: Are you struggling with the fact that you don't wanna kill this man -- but have to -- or that you ''don't'' have to kill him... but want to? "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is the righteous man who gives way before the wicked." [[Literature/TheBible Proverbs 25]] something, I never can remember.[[note]]Proverbs 25:26[[/note]]\\

'''Father Lantom:''' ''One'' interpretation. Another is, that when the righteous succumb to sin, it is as harmful as if the public well were poisoned. Because the darkness of such an act -- of taking a ''life'' -- will spread to friends, neighbors... the entire community.\\

'''Father Lantom:''' Then we wouldn't be sitting here, would we? I don't believe you went to see this woman for insight into how to kill a man. I think, maybe you went looking for a reason ''not'' to.

-->-- '''Franchise/{{Superman}}''', ''ComicBook/WhateverHappenedToTheManOfTomorrow''

->''"Rubber bullets. Honest."''
-->-- '''Franchise/{{Batman}}''', ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''

'''Red Hood [[spoiler:/Jason Todd]]:''' What? What, your moral code just won't allow for that? It's too hard to cross that line?!\\
'''Batman:''' '''No!''' God Almighty-- no. It'd be too damned ''easy.'' All I've ever wanted to do is kill [[ComicBook/TheJoker him]]. A day doesn't go by I don't think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he's dealt out to others, and then... end him.\\

->'''Batman:''' You don't understand. I don't think you've ever understood.\\
'''Red Hood [[spoiler:/Jason Todd]]:''' What? What, your moral code won't allow for that? It's too hard to cross that line?!\\
'''Batman:''' '''''No!''''' God Almighty, no! It'd be too damned '''easy.''' All I've ever wanted to do is kill [[ComicBook/TheJoker him]]. A day doesn't go by I don't think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he's dealt out to others, and then '''end''' him... But if I do that, if I allow myself to go down into that place... [[HeWhoFightsMonsters I'll never come back.]]

->''"[[PlatonicLifePartners Chloe]] [[ApocalypseMaiden Sullivan]] does not die this day... If [[ComicBook/{{Legion of Super-Heroes}} your]] code was really based on me, your number one rule should be, 'Don't kill.'"''

-->-- '''Kogoro Mouri''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

-->-- '''Conan Edogawa''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

-->-- '''Ran Mouri''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

->''"You're right, old pal. I'll never understand no matter the reason what drives someone to murder. And I don't think I want to."''

->'''Cyborg-Superman:''' You can't ''kill'' [[DeathSeeker me!]]\\
'''Superman:''' To be honest, Henshaw, [[TheCape I've never tried.]]

->'''Kick-ass:''' No way. I'm not going to kill anybody. I'm supposed to be a fucking superhero.\\

-->-- '''[[Comicbook/RobinSeries Tim Drake]]''', ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' #488, "Costumes"

->'''Batman:''' You don't understand. I don't think you've ever understood.
->'''Red Hood [[spoiler:/Jason Todd]]:''' What? What, your moral code won't allow for that? It's too hard to cross that line?!
->'''Batman:''' '''''No!''''' God Almighty, no! It'd be too damned '''easy.''' All I've ever wanted to do is kill [[ComicBook/TheJoker him]]. A day doesn't go by I don't think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he's dealt out to others, and then '''end''' him... But if I do that, if I allow myself to go down into that place... [[HeWhoFightsMonsters I'll never come back.]]

->I could have killed her on the spot; I just had to enter her ear, [[SizeShifter then grow]]. End of story. Not even a vampire can survive [[YourHeadAsplode having her brain squished out of her skull]]. In fact, I realized I could be an unstoppable assassin. Shrunk to a pinpoint, I could slip past any sensors. Unseen, I could sneak into anyone's body and wreak havoc: heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms. Then I could escape microscopically. With practice, I could make my kills look like natural causes... maybe even create delayed effects by starting effects by starting little bleeds in the brain that wouldn't cause death until I was somewhere else for an alibi. I could murder anyone, anywhere, anytime. I could take down world leaders during televised speeches; I could dispatch any [[SupernaturalElite Darkling]] or [[{{Superhero}} Spark]], hero or villain; if I wanted, I could casually kill innocents on the street.

-->-- ''All Those Explosions Were Someone Else's Fault,'' by James Alan Garner

'''Matt Murdock:''' Meaning righteous men have a duty to stand up to evil.\\

'''Matt Murdock:''' What if it already has?\\

[[folder:Web Video]]
->''"So [[Literature/JourneyToTheWest Wukong's]] like, 'Don't worry, Master, I know exactly what to do in this situation," and proceeds to kill all the bandits with his trusty stick-thing. But Tripitaka's like, 'Sun, we don't kill people.' And Wukong's like 'I think you mean YOU don't kill people.' And Tripitaka's like, 'No, no, you're Buddhist now, Buddhists do not kill.' And Wukong's like 'Ooh, look at Mr. Bigshot over here, telling me who I can and can't kill,' and storms off in a huff."''

->''"So Wukong's like, 'Don't worry, Master, I know exactly what to do in this situation," and proceeds to kill all the bandits with his trusty stick-thing. But Tripitaka's like, 'Sun, we don't kill people.' And Wukong's like 'I think you mean YOU don't kill people.' And Tripitaka's like, 'No, no, you're Buddhist now, Buddhists do not kill.' And Wukong's like 'Ooh, look at Mr. Bigshot over here, telling me who I can and can't kill,' and storms off in a huff."''

-->-- '''Red''', '''WebAnimation/OverlySarcasticProductions''', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ai5umy9yH0 Legends Summarized: The Journey to the West (Part II)]]"

-> וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֛ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לֵאמֹֽר׃
-> לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח׃
-->-- ''[[Literature/TheBible Exodus 20:1,13]]'' (in the Westminster Codex -- the english version is on the main page)

->''"So Wukong's like, 'Don't worry, Master, I know exactly what to do in this situation," and proceeds to kill all the bandits with his trusty stick-thing. But Tripitaka's like, 'Sun, we don't kill people.' And Wukong's like 'I think you mean YOU don't kill people.' And Tripitaka's like, 'No, no, you're Buddhist now, Buddhists do not kill.' And Wukong's like 'Ooh, look at Mr. Bigshot over here, telling me who I can and can't kill,' and storms off in a huff."''
-->-- '''Red''', '''WebAnimation/OverlySarcasticProductions''', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ai5umy9yH0 Legends Summarized: The Journey to the West (Part II)]]"

->'''Batman:''' You don't understand. I don't think you've ever understood.
->'''Red Hood [[spoiler:/Jason Todd]]:''' What? What, your moral code won't allow for that? It's too hard to cross that line?!
->'''Batman:''' '''''No!''''' God Almighty, no! It'd be too damned '''easy.''' All I've ever wanted to do is kill [[ComicBook/TheJoker him]]. A day doesn't go by I don't think about subjecting him to every horrendous torture he's dealt out to others, and then '''end''' him... But if I do that, if I allow myself to go down into that place... [[HeWhoFightsMonsters I'll never come back.]]
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/BatmanUnderTheRedHood''

->''"I know Darth Vader's really got you annoyed, but remember if you kill him then [[JokerImmunity you'll be unemployed.]]"''
-->-- '''Music/WeirdAlYankovic''', "[[Franchise/StarWars Yoda]]"

->'''Kick-ass:''' No way. I'm not going to kill anybody. I'm supposed to be a fucking superhero.\\
'''Hit Girl:''' Oh, kiss my ass. What is this? UsefulNotes/{{The Silver Age|of Comic Books}}?
-->-- ''Film/KickAss''

->''"Rubber bullets. Honest."''
-->--'''Franchise/{{Batman}}''', ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''

->'''Superman:''' There are at least six different ways I can stop you right now.\\
'''Lex Luthor:''' But they all involve deadly force, don't they? And you don't do that. (''Superman is silent'') No. You need me. You wouldn't be much of a hero without a villain, and you do love being a hero, don't you? The cheering children, the swooning women -- you love it so much, it's made you my most reliable accomplice!\\
'''Superman:''' Accomplice?! What're you--\\
'''Lex Luthor:''' You could have crushed me any time you wanted. And it wasn't the law or the will of the people that stopped you -- it was your ego. Being a hero was too important to you. You're as much responsible for this as I am! So go ahead, fix it somehow. Put me on trial, lock me up -- but I'll beat it. And then we'll start the whole thing all over again.
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', "A Better World"

->''"An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or it is necessary for self-defense."''
-->-- '''Code 14 of the Warrior Code''', ''Literature/WarriorCats''

->''"Whatever they did to you, [[TragicMonster Bette]], you '''don't''' kill people."''
-->-- '''[[TheHeart Chloe Sullivan]]''', ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', "Plastique"

->''"[[PlatonicLifePartners Chloe]] [[ApocalypseMaiden Sullivan]] does not die this day... If [[ComicBook/{{Legion of Super-Heroes}} your]] code was really based on me, your number one rule should be, 'Don't kill.'"''
-->-- '''[[TheHero Clark Kent]]''', ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', "Legion"

->'''Zeke''': See, that's just it. Why operate in a place where superheroes are here to foil them? That's like opening a butchery in a vegan community.\\
'''Asagi''': Publicity? That and the superheroes generally don't kill, meaning you at worst get jail time?
-->-- ''Roleplay/WeAreOurAvatars''

->''"[[BigNo NOOOOOOO!]] I've taken a life. I've killed a man. My people. My city. [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What have I done?!]] AAAAAAAAARGH!"''
-->-- '''HARDAC-Batman''' ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', "Soul of Silicon"

-->--''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}'', "Speak of the Devil"

->''"Batman never kills. Life is sacred to him. In his book, life even beats out justice."''
-->-- '''[[Comicbook/RobinSeries Tim Drake]]''', ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' #488, "Costumes"

->''"You're right, old pal. I'll never understand no matter the reason what drives someone to murder. And I don't think I want to."''
-->-- '''Kogoro Mouri''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

->"''Stop. Stop it, Ray. Even if you are facing a bitter aspect of life...Drugs and murder are foul, without any excuse...Deserve a red card, for a loser."''
-->-- '''Conan Edogawa''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

->''"Courage is a word of justice. It means the quality of mind that enables one to face apprehension with confidence and resolution. It is not right to use it as an excuse to kill someone."''
-->-- '''Ran Mouri''', ''Manga/DetectiveConan''

->''"It's bad to kill. Guns kill. And you don't have to be a gun. You are what you choose to be. You choose. Choose."''
-->-- '''Hogarth''', ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant''

->'''Hippolyta:''' Since the Krypts are the last men from your planet, both groups decided to let [[ComicBook/PowerGirl you]] decided what should be done with them. We'll decide about Badra afterward.\\
'''Mala:''' Not even a Venus girdle can withstand that one for long. Though such is against our nature, O queen, perhaps execution is in order.\\
'''Hippolyta:''' Not while alternatives exist, Mala. She will remain in stasis till we find a means of imprisoning her for life. We will find that means. Our hands will not be stained with blood... even hers.
-->-- ''Fanfic/AForceOfFour''

->I could have killed her on the spot; I just had to enter her ear, [[SizeShifter then grow]]. End of story. Not even a vampire can survive [[YourHeadAsplode having her brain squished out of her skull]]. In fact, I realized I could be an unstoppable assassin. Shrunk to a pinpoint, I could slip past any sensors. Unseen, I could sneak into anyone's body and wreak havoc: heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms. Then I could escape microscopically. With practice, I could make my kills look like natural causes... maybe even create delayed effects by starting effects by starting little bleeds in the brain that wouldn't cause death until I was somewhere else for an alibi. I could murder anyone, anywhere, anytime. I could take down world leaders during televised speeches; I could dispatch any [[SupernaturalElite Darkling]] or [[{{Superhero}} Spark]], hero or villain; if I wanted, I could casually kill innocents on the street.
->The prospect made me sick to my stomach. I could be far worse than Lilith with [[OurVampiresAreDifferent her simple thirst for blood]]. It would be trivial to kill her, [[AndThenWhat but then what?]] Where would it end?
->So don't judge me for letting her live, or for any other monster I haven't slaughtered. Do you think I don't realize how much tragedy I could prevent? Leaving maniacs alive is a promise of horrors to come.
->But.
->When I shift my vision to look at myself, I see a perfectly normal person who happens to have powers. I don't see the apex predator of this entire plane of existence. I cling to that. I have to.
-->--''All Those Explosions Were Someone Else's Fault,'' by James Alan Garner

->Toa aren't killers. If we were, we would have started with [[BigBad you]].
-->-- '''Vakama''', ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}''

->I want to fight [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} her]], sure. I wouldn't mind even sending her to the med-center for a few days. But I'm a wrestler, not a killer, Zora. If I really hurt her, there goes my license and a shot at the movies.
-->-- '''Jara''', ''Fanfic/KaraOfRokyn''

->'''Salvatore Maroni''': From this height, the fall wouldn't kill me.\\
'''Franchise/{{Batman}}''': I'm counting on it.
-->-- ''Film/TheDarkKnight''

->'''Robot''': Keeping them here would be a death sentence. Hopefully they've learned their lesson.\\
'''Invincible''': Right... and '''I'm''' supposed to be the new guy.\\
'''Robot''': It is not mathematically inconceivable that at some point we encounter an adversary that realizes the error of their ways and gives up their plans for revenge.\\
'''Invincible''': I hope you're right.
-->-- ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}''

->'''[[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Kara]]:''' You know, I didn't like what you had to do in my body.\\
'''[[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]]:''' You mean, possessing it? Oh. Oh, now I know, sorry. Miss Obtuseness, here. You mean killing Zol-Am.\\
'''Kara:''' Neither I, nor Superman, take human life. I know Zol-Am wasn't technically alive. I know he was post-human. But still... These hands destroyed a thinking being. I realize why it had to be done. I destroyed M'nagaleh, when we last met. But it’s not something I'm proud of.
-->-- ''Fanfic/TheVampireOfSteel''

->Heroes don't kill. We find a better way.
-->-- ''Franchise/TheFlash''

->Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need... Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
-->-- '''Gandalf''', ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''

->'''Dev-Em:''' Kara, you ever have a chance to read military theory and / or history? In case you don't know, commanders have to make decisions that will endanger some innocents, perhaps even kill them--\\
'''Kara:''' Not me. Not ever.
-->-- ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy''

->'''Lupin:''' Harry, the time for Disarming is past! These people are trying to capture and kill you! At least Stun if you aren't prepared to kill!\\
'''[[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry]]:''' We were hundreds of feet up! If I Stunned him and he'd fallen, he'd have died the same as if I'd used '''Avada Kedavra'''!
-->-- ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows''

->'''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica:''' I'm thinking of stepping out, Carol. This new age seems to be an age for killers— the Punisher, Wolverine, U.S. Agent. I've only killed one person in recent times. Flag-Smasher manipulated me into it. I didn't like it. I'm not a killer anymore.\\
'''ComicBook/CarolDanvers:''' But that's just why they do need you, Cap. To keep them from going down that slope anymore. I don't think we feel the same way about killing... but I won't do it unless there's no other way. I agree, I don't think the Avengers should become killers. You may be the only guy that can make sure they don't.\\
'''Cap:''' They weren't killing a man, and they were killing a killer. But I'm more worried that they might come to see this as a solution. Super-villains outnumber super-heroes by at least a 3 / 1 ratio, Carol. But guys like the Punisher never seem to have trouble with repeat offenders.\\
'''Carol:''' Guys like the Punisher end up hunted down as murderers. I don't want that to happen to the Avengers.
-->-- ''Fanfic/APrizeForThreeEmpires''

->''"Every day we meet people the world would be better without, but we do not kill them. We must be better than the beasts."''
-->-- '''Literature/HerculePoirot''', ''Film/MurderOnTheOrientExpress2017''