My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.

Often presented as a moral lesson associated with Sewell’s themes about responsibility toward suffering, especially in discussions of humane treatment and ethical duty to intervene when able.

If you are able to prevent harm or injustice and choose not to act, you bear moral responsibility alongside those who caused the harm.