To save one life

"I would kill all the cats in the world if it would save one human child" I said.  And now - part way through the task of killing every cat - I question the boldness that I brought to that assertion.  What gods or mechanisms exist that would make someone who said such a thing actually do such a thing?  I still feel it true, that declaration but ... come on: to actually make someone kill every cat to prove whatever godly point you are trying to make: I'll stand by my point but damn!  Hope whatever human I saved is thankful.