Doubt (movie tie-in edition): A Parable

by John Patrick Shanley

Life happens when the tectonic power of your speechless soul breaks through the dead habits of the mind.

When trust is the order of the day, predators are free to plunder.

The beginning of change is the moment of Doubt. It is that crucial moment when I renew my humanity or become a lie. Doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite—it is a passionate exercise.

We’ve got to learn to live with a full measure of uncertainty.

Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Every easy choice today will have its consequence tomorrow. Mark my words.

When you take a step to address wrongdoing, you are taking a step away from God, but in His service.

He’s isolated. The little sheep lagging behind is the one the wolf goes for.

Eight years ago at St. Boniface we had a priest who had to be stopped. But I had Monsignor Scully then . . . whom I could rely on. Here, there’s no man I can go to, and men run everything. We are going to have to stop him ourselves.

man who would do this has already denied a great deal.

Would you rather leave the boy to be exploited? And don’t think this will be the only story. If you close your eyes, you will be a party to all that comes after.

If I could, Sister James, I would certainly choose to live in innocence. But innocence can only be wisdom in a world without evil.

You just want things to be resolved so you can have simplicity back.

What actually happens in life is beyond interpretation. The truth makes for a bad sermon. It tends to be confusing and have no clear conclusion.

There are people who go after your humanity, Sister James, who tell you the light in your heart is a weakness. That your soft feelings betray you. I don’t believe that. It’s an old tactic of cruel people to kill kindness in the name of virtue. Don’t believe it. There’s nothing wrong with love.

In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one steps away from God. Of course there’s a price.