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It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of…

“It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun.” quote by Dashiell Hammett
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“It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun.”

Dashiell Hammett

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Choosing selective ignorance can be a survival tactic when confronting threats that are better left unengaged.

In simple terms: Selective ignorance as self‑preservation

Key Takeaway

Ignore dangerous stimuli

Themes

survival psychology self‑preservation risk management boundary setting

Mood

cautious detached

Type

aphor advice

When to use this quote

  • walking in a forest at night
  • hearing distant conflict
  • receiving alarming news

Key Concepts

threat perception attention control

Practical Applications

  • stress reduction
  • maintaining focus

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does avoidance become harmful?
  • How can you balance awareness with safety?
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