Rorlund: Can you say that?--you, who yourself--
Bernick: In the bigger communities a man finds space to carry out
a valuable project--finds the courage to make some sacrifice in a
great cause; but here, a man is cramped by all kinds of petty
considerations and scruples.
Rorlund: Is human life a petty consideration?
Bernick: When that human life threatens the welfare of thousands.
Rorlund: But you are suggesting cases that are quite
inconceivable, Mr. Bernick! I do not understand you at all today.
And you quote the bigger countries--well, what do they
think of human life there? They look upon it simply as part of
the capital they have to use. But we look at things from a
somewhat different moral standpoint, I should hope. Look at our
respected shipping industry! Can you name a single one of our
ship-owners who would sacrifice a human life for the sake of
paltry gain? And then think of those scoundrels in the bigger
countries, who for the sake of profit send out freights in one
unseaworthy ship after another--
Bernick: I am not talking of unseaworthy ships!
Rorlund: But I am, Mr. Bernick.
Bernick: Yes, but to what purpose? They have nothing to do with
the question--Oh, these small, timid considerations! If a General
from this country were to take his men under fire and some of
them were shot, I suppose he would have sleepless nights after
it! It is not so in other countries.
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