In Margaret Atwood's "The Year of the Flood," a character reflects on the teachings of Zeb, particularly from his Urban Bloodshed Limitation classes. One of the key lessons emphasized is the importance of self-restraint and personal accountability in violence. Zeb believes that before trying to limit the bloodshed of others, individuals must first control their own actions and impulses.

This notion of prioritizing one's own behavior serves as a critical reminder about responsibility. It highlights the idea that true change in the world starts from within, encouraging individuals to address their internal conflicts before attempting to manage external violence or chaos.