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"You seem to think you haven’t killed anyone, but I’m afraid you're very sadly mistaken. You’ve managed to fool no one but yourself. You want to believe that, because your hands aren’t dirty, because you personally didn’t pull the trigger, that you’re innocent. When in actuality, you’ve killed countless people, including the Gung-Ho Guns and your friend, Nicholas D. Wolfwood."
Comic Books
Batman: You killed a man, Clark.
Superman: I did! And every time you let that madman live, how many more did you condemn? Did you even feel responsible? Did you even feel guilty?
Batman: Every time.
Superman: I did! And every time you let that madman live, how many more did you condemn? Did you even feel responsible? Did you even feel guilty?
Batman: Every time.
Fan Works
She turned and flew to the tube chamber, to begin releasing the superheroes from their imprisonment. As she did, her mind flashed back to another time, in which Luthor had died by accident and she brought him back to life with a device built along Kryptonian lines.
It might be possible to restore his life in the next two minutes, if she could manage to put such a thing together again. There was probably enough stuff in Luthor’s labs from which she could cannibalize it.
But–
He had almost killed Kal, this time. He had come very near to killing him with Virus X, another time. And there were–great Rao, there were so many other times when he had tried to kill her cousin, or even her, and had gotten too close to that goal all too often.
She also remembered Kal saying that Luthor just periodically had to break jail so he could destroy something, anything.
There were only so many times mercy could be shown.
Sometimes, it was a greater mercy to withhold it.
With an unpleasant chill in her heart, Supergirl began tearing the metallic tubes open.
It might be possible to restore his life in the next two minutes, if she could manage to put such a thing together again. There was probably enough stuff in Luthor’s labs from which she could cannibalize it.
But–
He had almost killed Kal, this time. He had come very near to killing him with Virus X, another time. And there were–great Rao, there were so many other times when he had tried to kill her cousin, or even her, and had gotten too close to that goal all too often.
She also remembered Kal saying that Luthor just periodically had to break jail so he could destroy something, anything.
There were only so many times mercy could be shown.
Sometimes, it was a greater mercy to withhold it.
With an unpleasant chill in her heart, Supergirl began tearing the metallic tubes open.
"I can't read minds," he said. "But... yeah. There's a lot going on there. I kind of talked to her about it on Thursday, but she pushed me away. I'm not her favorite person, but she needs help."
She let you die, I thought. There was time. She could have saved you.
She let you die, I thought. There was time. She could have saved you.
— Warp
"This place is being monitored," she said. "That's not surprising. But I'll bet we only have a short time here before Darkseid sees us and destroys it."
Luthor sighed. "Exactly. Can you save us?"
"We could do a quid pro quo," said Kal. "Your lives in return for information and help."
"Oh, balderdash," said Sivana. "Everyone knows you heroes don't let anybody die. You're just like the Big Red Cheese in that respect. You'll save us in the final reel."
"Guess again," said Kara, in a quiet voice. "I've had to kill twice, already. And I did.
"Kara!" Superman looked as though someone had shoved 90-proof Green K in his face.
"I was forced to do it," continued Supergirl. "The first time, I had to choose between that and the universe. The second time, I had to save my own life. I wouldn't kill you, Lex. But with what we're facing, in as little time as we've got...I might just run off and leave you to your own devices."
Luthor sighed. "Exactly. Can you save us?"
"We could do a quid pro quo," said Kal. "Your lives in return for information and help."
"Oh, balderdash," said Sivana. "Everyone knows you heroes don't let anybody die. You're just like the Big Red Cheese in that respect. You'll save us in the final reel."
"Guess again," said Kara, in a quiet voice. "I've had to kill twice, already. And I did.
"Kara!" Superman looked as though someone had shoved 90-proof Green K in his face.
"I was forced to do it," continued Supergirl. "The first time, I had to choose between that and the universe. The second time, I had to save my own life. I wouldn't kill you, Lex. But with what we're facing, in as little time as we've got...I might just run off and leave you to your own devices."
Film
"I won't kill you... but I don't have to save you."
— Batman, Batman Begins
Literature
Darius: You have to save her.
Shera: I think you'll find that I don't.
Darius: Shera, please. Leaving her to die is the same as killing her!
Shera: Yes, that's right.
Shera: I think you'll find that I don't.
Darius: Shera, please. Leaving her to die is the same as killing her!
Shera: Yes, that's right.
— The Elder Empire, Of Darkness and Dawn
Live-Action TV
"I watched Jane die. I was there, and I watched her die. I watched her overdose and choke to death. I could have saved her, but I didn't."
— Walter White, Breaking Bad
Londo: I would point out to you that this door is extremely hot. There is a very good chance there is a fire out there. And even if the fire doesn't get in here, the smoke and heat will eventually make it impossible to breathe, and we WILL die in here. [G'Kar laughs] With enough effort, we can probably force our way through the ceiling... [G'Kar laughs louder] Perhaps I have not made myself sufficiently clear. There is no telling when help will come. Unless we get ourselves out of here on our own, we will probably die here. So we ''must'' work ''together!''
G'Kar: No.
Londo: No? What do you mean, "No"?!
G'Kar: No! [laughs again]
Londo: You want to live as much as I!
G'Kar: Oh yes, but I would much rather see you dead! [laughs]
Londo: I see... Well, here I am. Go on, kill me. Come on, kill me!
G'Kar: You forget the terms of our surrender. "The penalty for the killing of any Centauri by any Narn, will be the death of ''five hundred Narns, including the perpetrator's own family!''" But I don't have to kill you. I don't have to do anything, and I still get to watch you die! I find this most appealing! [still laughing]
Londo: This is insane! We must work together!
G'Kar: No! As the humans say, "Up yours, die!"
G'Kar: No.
Londo: No? What do you mean, "No"?!
G'Kar: No! [laughs again]
Londo: You want to live as much as I!
G'Kar: Oh yes, but I would much rather see you dead! [laughs]
Londo: I see... Well, here I am. Go on, kill me. Come on, kill me!
G'Kar: You forget the terms of our surrender. "The penalty for the killing of any Centauri by any Narn, will be the death of ''five hundred Narns, including the perpetrator's own family!''" But I don't have to kill you. I don't have to do anything, and I still get to watch you die! I find this most appealing! [still laughing]
Londo: This is insane! We must work together!
G'Kar: No! As the humans say, "Up yours, die!"
— Babylon 5, "Convictions"
Saffron: I didn't kill him, if that's what you're thinking.
Reynolds: No, I don't think there's many that you kill. You just put them in a position where they die real easy.
— Firefly, "Trash"
Darla: Come on love, I never did that goodbye kiss.
Angel: You will... but not tonight.
Lilah: For God’s sake help us.
Holland: Angel, please... people are going to die.
Angel: And yet somehow, I just can’t seem to care. (shuts the door, sounds of him locking it from outside)
Holland: Angel, please, we- we can negotiate...
Drusilla: Daddy. (Angel walks away with the sounds of screaming behind him)
Angel: You will... but not tonight.
Lilah: For God’s sake help us.
Holland: Angel, please... people are going to die.
Angel: And yet somehow, I just can’t seem to care. (shuts the door, sounds of him locking it from outside)
Holland: Angel, please, we- we can negotiate...
Drusilla: Daddy. (Angel walks away with the sounds of screaming behind him)
— Angel, "Reunion"
Music
She heard those sirens screaming out.
Her daddy laid there passed out on the couch.
She locked herself in the cellar,
Listened to the screaming of the wind.
Some people called it taking shelter.
She called it sweet revenge.
Her daddy laid there passed out on the couch.
She locked herself in the cellar,
Listened to the screaming of the wind.
Some people called it taking shelter.
She called it sweet revenge.
— Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away"
Theatre
"What we have here is an ethical dilemma:
'Less I help him get the mask removed, he doesn't have a prayer;
True the gun was never fired, but the way events transpired
I could finish him with simple laissez faire.
What we have here is a tricky moral problem:
Do I help remove the mask, or let him go for lack of air?
Couldn't shoot him when I tried, but the fates are on my side;
I can off the guy by staying in the chair!"
'Less I help him get the mask removed, he doesn't have a prayer;
True the gun was never fired, but the way events transpired
I could finish him with simple laissez faire.
What we have here is a tricky moral problem:
Do I help remove the mask, or let him go for lack of air?
Couldn't shoot him when I tried, but the fates are on my side;
I can off the guy by staying in the chair!"
— Seymour, Little Shop of Horrors
Video Games
"Dearest Marta—
My best beloved, most trusted, my intimate companion since your childhood. I know your faith is imperfect. I know that old worm doubt gnaws at your heart and tears wash your cheeks.
You think you sin in murder. But hear me, as I have told you every way I know how: you would only sin if you stayed your hand. If you do not chain a rabid dog, are you not responsible for the children the bitch attacks? If you do not crush the spider in your infant's crib, are you not responsible for its venomous bite? If you leave a fire unchecked, are you not responsible for every innocent burnt?
In every case, Sloth would make you a murderer. You would not need lift a finger and still be a terrible killer in the mind of God.
Just as every life you do not take that could even maybe defeat The Enemy, who would murder and rape the whole wide world, is killing by sloth. For the Enemy is surely rabid, and venomous, and a hungry inferno.
Hold fast. Push the knife. You need no forgiveness because you do not sin. Know that Temple Gate needs you. Know that I love you. That God loves you.
Knoth"
My best beloved, most trusted, my intimate companion since your childhood. I know your faith is imperfect. I know that old worm doubt gnaws at your heart and tears wash your cheeks.
You think you sin in murder. But hear me, as I have told you every way I know how: you would only sin if you stayed your hand. If you do not chain a rabid dog, are you not responsible for the children the bitch attacks? If you do not crush the spider in your infant's crib, are you not responsible for its venomous bite? If you leave a fire unchecked, are you not responsible for every innocent burnt?
In every case, Sloth would make you a murderer. You would not need lift a finger and still be a terrible killer in the mind of God.
Just as every life you do not take that could even maybe defeat The Enemy, who would murder and rape the whole wide world, is killing by sloth. For the Enemy is surely rabid, and venomous, and a hungry inferno.
Hold fast. Push the knife. You need no forgiveness because you do not sin. Know that Temple Gate needs you. Know that I love you. That God loves you.
Knoth"
— Sullivan Knoth, Outlast II
Robin: You coward! We are at war with these animals! You think you're better than him!? You let the Joker keep on killing! You couldn't save Lois, or Jason, or ANYONE!
Wonder Woman: None of us wanted this. But the Joker forced our hand. Metropolis changed the world. Now WE have to change with it!
Superman: Metropolis and Coast City are gone. How many more innocent people have to die before YOU accept that some lives need to be TAKEN?!
Wonder Woman: None of us wanted this. But the Joker forced our hand. Metropolis changed the world. Now WE have to change with it!
Superman: Metropolis and Coast City are gone. How many more innocent people have to die before YOU accept that some lives need to be TAKEN?!
Yusuke: I've heard that you destroy your "art" once they outlive their usefulness... Did that include my mother as well?
Shadow Madarame: (beat) (smirks evilly) She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me. That's when a thought crossed my mind... If I don't call for help and leave her be, I could obtain her painting without any strings attached.
Ann: No... You let her die!?
Shadow Madarame: She was physically weak. No one would doubt if she just dropped dead because of a seizure. Above all, Yusuke, didn't you think it was odd—that I discovered your talent when you were only three? The reason why I kept you around was to keep you from realizing the truth behind "Sayuri".
Yusuke: You killed her...!
Shadow Madarame: (beat) (smirks evilly) She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me. That's when a thought crossed my mind... If I don't call for help and leave her be, I could obtain her painting without any strings attached.
Ann: No... You let her die!?
Shadow Madarame: She was physically weak. No one would doubt if she just dropped dead because of a seizure. Above all, Yusuke, didn't you think it was odd—that I discovered your talent when you were only three? The reason why I kept you around was to keep you from realizing the truth behind "Sayuri".
Yusuke: You killed her...!
Mitch: You let an innocent woman die! I saw you!
Eddie: I didn't kill her, she fell!
Mitch: You let her fall.
Eddie: Well that ain't murder!
Mitch: We've all got different ideas about what's murder.
Hades: You see this poor child? Both of her parents are dead. Awww... There was an unfortunate accident, if you know what I mean.
Pit: You mean you murdered them!
Hades: It was a simple case of distracted chariot driving. I shouldn't have been doing my hair.
Pit: You mean you murdered them!
Hades: It was a simple case of distracted chariot driving. I shouldn't have been doing my hair.
— Kid Icarus: Uprising, Chapter 10: "The Wish Seed"
Webcomics
"I'm sick of your banal little guild's petty intrigues interfering in my magical research. All I want is to be left alone, and I suspect your eventual successor will be more willing to accommodate that desire. ...Farewell, Bozzok. You were never as clever as you thought you were." [Teleports away, leaving Bozzok to be killed]
— Grubwiggler, The Order of the Stick
Web Original
Vegeta: You... green thing... heal me...
Dende: Oh? I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time hearing you over the smell of my people's blood on your hands.
Vegeta: Oh no... Do not be that guy right now!
Dende: Oh, I'm gonna be that guy right now.
Dende: Oh? I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time hearing you over the smell of my people's blood on your hands.
Vegeta: Oh no... Do not be that guy right now!
Dende: Oh, I'm gonna be that guy right now.
"This is it... this is the icing on my cake! A lifetime of physical and psychological abuse, brought to a swift and satisfying end! All I have to do... is nothing! I mean, this is just Darwinism at work! As long as I don't hand her this life-saving juice that I am currently handing her- NOOOOOOOOO!!"''
— Kirito contemplating on letting Suguha choke to death on a muffin, Sword Art Online Abridged
Western Animation
"I didn't kill him, Jordan. I just didn't save him."
— Sinestro, Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Biscuits: I just keep thinking about those seventeen minutes. You waiting in the parking lot after [Sarah Lynn] died. But she wasn't actually dead yet. She died in the hospital.
BoJack: Right, but at the time, I-I-I...
Biscuits: Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you didn't take those seventeen minutes. Do you think she might still...
BoJack: No! L-Look! Obviously, when I did all that stuff, I was—
Biscuits: So, to recap: You gave Sarah Lynn alcohol when she was a child. She then became an addict.
BoJack: Well, come on, there was a lot of stuff in between—
Biscuits: I'm talking now! You're not talking! When she was intoxicated, you had sex with her. And when she was sober, you gave her the heroin that killed her. Then, in an effort to cover for yourself, you waited to call the paramedics that might have saved her life. And you don't think you have any power over women?
—BoJack Horseman, "Xerox of a Xerox"
