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I'm going to use them to track him down and thwart him."…

“I'm going to use them to track him down and thwart him." "Thwart?" Sarissa asked. "Thwart." I said. "To prevent someone from accomplishing something by means of visiting gratuitous violence upon his smarmy person." "I'm pretty sure that isn't the definition," Sarissa said. "It is today.” quote by Jim Butcher
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““I'm going to use them to track him down and thwart him." "Thwart?" Sarissa asked. "Thwart." I said. "To prevent someone from accomplishing something by means of visiting gratuitous violence upon his smarmy person." "I'm pretty sure that isn't the definition," Sarissa said. "It is today.””

Jim Butcher

About This Quote

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

A character plans to locate and stop an adversary, redefining 'thwart' as violent intervention.

In simple terms: Redefining a word through violent action.

Key Takeaway

Words can be twisted to justify force.

Themes

Power Language Violence Moral ambiguity Conflict

Mood

Tense Dark Ironic

Type

Dialogue Philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Detective pursuit
  • Personal vendetta
  • Moral debate
  • Strategic planning

Key Concepts

Definition manipulation Character motivation Ethical justification

Practical Applications

  • Narrative tension
  • Character development

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is redefining language to suit actions ethical?
  • What are the limits of using force for prevention?
A Different Perspective

The justification of violence as a means to prevent harm raises ethical concerns.

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