Quote#Time
Two years ago—even if my own life was at stake—and I am confident, if…
Quote byNed Kelly · 1854–1880
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Sentencing (1880).
English (original)
Two years ago—even if my own life was at stake—and I am confident, if I thought a man would shoot me—I would give him a chance of keeping his life, and would part with my own; but if I knew that through him innocent persons' lives were at stake, I certainly would have to shoot him.
— Ned Kelly
More from Ned Kelly
If the public do not see justice done I will seek revenge for the name and character which has been given to me and my relations, while God gives me strength to pull a trigger.
My mother, with an infant baby, and brother-in-law and another neighbour, were taken for aiding and abetting and attempting to murder [Fitzpatrick], a charge for which they are as purely innocent as the child unborn.
I threw big cowardly Hall on his belly I straddled him and rooted both spurs onto his thighs he roared like a big calf attacked by dogs ... I used to trip him and let him take a mouth ful of dust now and again as he was as helpless as a …
The ignorant unicorns even threaten to shoot myself But as soon as I am dead they will be heels up in the muroo.
Everyone looks on me like a black snake.
This cannot be called wilful murder, for I was compelled to shoot [the police] in my own defence, or lie down like a cur and die.