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If you're all so peaceful up there, how did you get such…

“If you're all so peaceful up there, how did you get such greedy and cruel ideas?" The dragon was silent for a long time after this question. And at last he said: "It just came over me. I don't know why. It just came over me, listening to the battling shouts and the war-cries of the earth - I got…” quote by Ted Hughes
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““If you're all so peaceful up there, how did you get such greedy and cruel ideas?" The dragon was silent for a long time after this question. And at last he said: "It just came over me. I don't know why. It just came over me, listening to the battling shouts and the war-cries of the earth - I got excited, I wanted to join in.””

Ted Hughes

About This Quote

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

A dragon, normally calm, is overtaken by violent impulses after hearing human conflict, showing how external chaos can stir inner aggression.

In simple terms: War sounds can awaken hidden aggression.

Key Takeaway

Beware how external conflict influences inner thoughts.

Themes

conflict inner nature influence violence

Mood

tense reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • war zones
  • political rallies
  • media consumption
  • personal stress
  • group dynamics

Key Concepts

psychology environmental triggers emotional contagion

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you react when surrounded by aggression?
  • Can peace be maintained amid conflict?
A Different Perspective

The dragon’s sudden change may be dramatized, not a universal rule.

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