But for the Grace of God
"Someone once told me that when I chose to wear this uniform, I accepted the fact that I might be called on to do what I did in Ishval," Roy said to Fuery.
"I guess so, sir," said Kain. "You never know what the guys in charge will want you to do. In the military or anywhere else."
"Not many places outside the military plan genocide."
"Oh, they plan it all right," said Kain. "They just don't have a way to do it like the military does."
"You sound like you speak from experience," said Roy, amused.
Kain shrugged. "Maybe genocide isn't the right word for it. When you grow up where everyone is just like you, it's not something that comes to mind. I didn't even know the word until the Fuhrer ordered it. But yeah, I've wanted to kill a lot of people before."
This was incomprehensible. Fuery in a murderous rage was so ludicrous that Roy had almost started to laugh before he could control himself. As it was, he wasn't able to stop a smirk.
But Fuery, very Fuery-like, just smiled in return. "I haven't told too many people, but that's the usual reaction. I've always been small and I've always been picked on. After a while it gets to you. You either figure a way to keep your self respect without hating the world or you get violent or you get bitter."
"Is that why you're religious?"
"Oh no, sir. I'm religious because I was raised that way and, well, I believe it." It was a measure of his comfort with his commanding officer that Kain was able to say that last without too much hesitation.
"You got it backwards. I don't believe so that I won't be bitter - I'm not bitter because I believe. Anyone can get so angry that they want to kill, even kill lots of people. But not many people are in a position where they actually could. We've got a saying, 'There but for the grace of God go I.' It means you don't judge a person for failing a test you never had to take. You just help if you can."