Below is a scene from the movie Schindler’s List. It is one of the most haunting exchanges I have ever seen on the screen.

We all find ourselves in the same circumstance as Schindler: confronting unending opportunities to save lives at low cost. Indeed it is easier for us to save lives than it was for Schindler. None of us faces the risk of arrest and execution by the SS.

We may not weep for those we fail to save because we never see them, but they are just as real.

255. EXT. COURTYARD – BRINNLITZ CAMP – NIGHT. 255.

Schindler and Emilie emerge from his quarters, each carrying a small suitcase. In the dark, some distance away from his

Mercedes, stand all twelve hundred workers. As Schindler and his

wife cross the courtyard to the car, Stern and Levartov approach.

The rabbi hands him some papers.

LEVARTOV

We’ve written a letter trying to explain

things. In case you’re captured. Every

workers has signed it.

Schindler sees a list of signatures beginning below the

typewritten text and continuing for several pages. He pockets

it, this new list of names.

SCHINDLER

Thank you.

Stern steps forward and places a ring in Schindler’s hand. It’s

a gold band, like a wedding ring. Schindler notices an

inscription inside it.

STERN

It’s Hebrew. It says, ‘Whoever saves

one life, saves the world.’

Schindler slips the ring onto a finger, admires it a moment, nods

his thanks, then seems to withdraw.

SCHINDLER

(to himself)

I could’ve got more out …

Stern isn’t sure he heard right. Schindler steps away from him,

from his wife, from the car, from the workers.

SCHINDLER

(to himself)

I could’ve got more … if I’d just … I don’t

know, if I’d just … I could’ve got more…

STERN

Oskar, there are twelve hundred people who

are alive because of you. Look at them.

He can’t.

SCHINDLER

If I’d made more money …I threw away

so much money, you have no idea.

If I’d just …

STERN

There will be generations because of

what you did.

SCHINDLER

I didn’t do enough.

STERN

You did so much.

Schindler starts to lose it, the tears coming. Stern, too. The

look on Schindler’s face as his eyes sweep across the faces of

the workers is one of apology, begging them to forgive him for

not doing more.

SCHINDLER

This car. Goeth would’ve bought this car.

Why did I keep the car? Ten people,

right there, ten more I could’ve got.

(looking around)

This pin –

He rips the elaborate Hakenkreus, the swastika, from his lapel

and holds it out to Stern pathetically.

SCHINDLER

Two people. This is gold. Two more people.

He would’ve given me two for it. At least one.

He would’ve given me one. One more. One

more person. A person, Stern. For this.

One more. I could’ve gotten one more person

I didn’t.

He completely breaks down, weeping convulsively, the emotion he’s

been holding in for years spilling out, the guilt consuming him.

SCHINDLER

They killed so many people …

(Stern, weeping too,

embraces him)

They killed so many people …

From above, from a watchtower, Stern can be seen down below,

trying to comfort Schindler. Eventually, they separate, and

Schindler and Emilie climb into the Mercedes. It slowly pulls

out through the gates of the camp. And drives away.