Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"Please take it," says I, "and don't ask me nothing—then I won't have to tell no lies." (4.15)

Oh, Huck. There's nothing like the open road to rob a boy of his scruples. Pretty soon this kid is going to be lying like Frank W. Abagnale.

Quote #2

"Well, I b'lieve you, Huck. I—I RUN OFF."

"Jim!" (8.45, 8.46)

Pot, meet Kettle. Huck is outraged that Jim has run off, because apparently Huck doesn't remember that he's also run off. Why is it okay for Huck to escape an abusive situation and not Jim?

Quote #3

"But mind, you said you wouldn' tell—you know you said you wouldn' tell, Huck."

"Well, I did. I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest INJUN, I will. People would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum—but that don't make no difference. I ain't a-going to tell, and I ain't a-going back there, anyways. So, now, le's know all about it." (8.52, 8.53)

Huck vs. the World, and it doesn't involve any do-overs. Meeting Jim thrusts him right into conflict with the ethical system he's used to… and kudos to Huck for standing up for the right.