I'm a very smart guy. I haven't a feeling or a scruple in…
“I'm a very smart guy. I haven't a feeling or a scruple in the world. All I have the itch for is money. I am so money greedy that for twenty-five bucks a day and expenses, mostly gasoline and whisky, I do my thinking myself, what there is of it; I risk my whole future, the hatred of the cops . . . I dodge bullets and eat saps, and say thank you very much, if you have any more trouble, I hope you'll think of me, I'll just leave one of my cards in case anything comes up.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A cynical narrator confesses a relentless pursuit of money, disregarding morality and risk, highlighting greed’s corrosive power.
In simple terms: Greed drives reckless behavior, ignoring ethics.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting greed dictate actions.
Themes
greed
morality
risk
crime
despair
Mood
cynical
dark
defiant
Type
literary
character study
When to use this quote
- street hustling
- organized crime
- personal ambition
- financial desperation
Key Concepts
Cynicism
nihilism
survival
selfishness
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about the character’s values?
- Can greed ever be a sustainable motivator?
A Different Perspective
The quote glorifies illegal activity, which can’t be justified.