Shantaram Principles Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"We warned them to stop it. Our ladies were not walking safely. For that reason only we did fight them." (2.15.19)

Chivalry is all about principles. It's a whole system of rules and regulations for knights. In this case, the slum-dwellers are acting chivalrous, protecting "their" women from dangerous rivals. This, in turn, reveals a startling way of looking at women, as property.

Quote #8

"He says a man must love his bear, Lin," Prabaker translated for me. (2.15.113)

Say what? Yeah, we know this is a bizarre quote, but we kind of just have to agree with it, and also the guy says it more than once, so you know it's important. What's this got to do with principles? It's about knowing what's important. In the case of the blue bear handlers, they're willing to go through all sorts of pain and suffering out of love for their bear.

Quote #9

Negotiations with the watchmen and the other guards were spirited once we presented them with a request that they could grant without bending the rules to their breaking point. (2.15.114)

And here's an example of what principles aren't. Basically, if you'd be willing to break a rule, for a price, it's just that, a rule. It's not a principle. Principles are values that are so deep that you wouldn't break them for anything or, if you did, you'd feel really bad about it.