The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Quotes
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Well, [Tom Sawyer] says, there's excuse for picks and letting-on in a case like this; if it warn't so, I wouldn't approve of it, nor I wouldn't stand by and see the rules broke—because right is right, and wrong is wrong, and a body ain't got no business doing wrong when he ain't ignorant and knows better. It might answer for you to dig Jim out with a pick, without any letting on, because you don't know no better; but it wouldn't for me, because I do know better. Gimme a caseknife.
Context
This line is from the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), written by Mark Twain.
So Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are trying to help a runaway slave named Jim escape from the hut he's being held in. But, instead of going through the door, Tom decides that it'd be way better if they dig Jim out. With knives instead of shovels. It'd only be right. Tom likes adventures, what can we say?
Here, Tom is explaining that he knows better than to just do things the simple way. This thing has gotta be epic. Huck might be ignorant of the rules of adventure, but Tom's not. That's why he's gotta do what's right.
An interesting side note: this conversation is not about whether slavery itself or helping Jim escape is right or wrong—it's about the most awesome way to bust out of jail. Priorities, Tom.
We're sure Jim, who's chained to the bed inside the hut and is in danger of a) being executed or b) being resold into slavery, finds all of this super hilarious.
Where you've heard it
When things are right, they're right. And when they're wrong, well, you know. You'll hear this quote anywhere moral certainty is being sold. Or if you're trying to bust someone out of a hut with a knife.
What makes something right and wrong? Stephen Fry might have some answers.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Is right always right? Is wrong always wrong? You'll probably get some knowing nods from folks when you let this quote slip… until they start thinking a little more about it.