--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a…" description: "\"“A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a bow for hire. I never wanted any grand cause. If it looks like I'm fighting tyrants, it's only because the wor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/adrian-tchaikovsky-21498_quote_a-bandit-a-man-hunter-a-lawbreaker-a-bow_1891408.jpg" --- # A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a bow for hire. I… ![“A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a bow for hire. I never wanted any grand cause. If it looks like I'm fighting tyrants, it's only because the world's so damned full of them that you can't draw a sword without crossing some of their laws. Easy as easy, it is, to become an outlaw.” quote by Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/adrian-tchaikovsky-21498_quote_a-bandit-a-man-hunter-a-lawbreaker-a-bow_1891408.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/adrian-tchaikovsky-21498_quote_a-bandit-a-man-hunter-a-lawbreaker-a-bow_1891408.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/adrian-tchaikovsky-21498_quote_a-bandit-a-man-hunter-a-lawbreaker-a-bow_1891408.jpg) > ““A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a bow for hire. I never wanted any grand cause. If it looks like I'm fighting tyrants, it's only because the world's so damned full of them that you can't draw a sword without crossing some of their laws. Easy as easy, it is, to become an outlaw.”” [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He embraces outlaw status, seeing lawlessness as inevitable in a world full of oppression, rejecting grand causes. **In simple terms:** He chooses to be an outlaw because the world is corrupt. Key Takeaway Question the morality of laws. Themes rebellion morality individualism Mood cynical defiant Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - living under oppressive regimes - choosing personal freedom - rejecting authority Key Concepts law vs. justice personal ethics Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever feel compelled to break rules for a greater good? - When is law justified? A Different Perspective Outlaw identity may alienate allies and limit cooperation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Outlaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlaw/) ## Related quotes > [I have always enjoyed outlaw films such as 'Smokey and the Bandit.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-chandrasekhar/i-have-always-enjoyed-outlaw-films-such-as-smokey-and-the-bandit/) [Jay Chandrasekhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-chandrasekhar/) > [“The man who ten years earlier and one year later was considered a bandit and outlaw is sent a two-day sail from France, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-man-who-ten-years-earlier-and-one-year-later-was-considered-a/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Bob Taylor and I playing brothers. And I was a Mexican bandit. And he was the sheriff of the town. And we loved each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-quinn/bob-taylor-and-i-playing-brothers-and-i-was-a-mexican-bandit-and-he/) [Anthony Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-quinn/) > [ I'm really much more like Phil Potter from \[the 1979 film\] Starting Over. People do think I'm the Bandit \[from Smokey and the Bandit… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/i-m-really-much-more-like-phil-potter-from-the-1979-film-starting/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [Time -- when pursued like a bandit -- will behave like one; always remaining one country or one room ahead of you, changing its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/time-when-pursued-like-a-bandit-will-behave-like-one-always-remaining/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“Then the bandit turned tail and broke for the open. Greeley hit the sidewalk only seconds after him, big as he was and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornell-woolrich/then-the-bandit-turned-tail-and-broke-for-the-open-greeley-hit-the/) [Cornell Woolrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornell-woolrich/) > [I was very struck by the fact that Robin Hood became increasingly taken over by the middle and upper classes. He starts out a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farr/i-was-very-struck-by-the-fact-that-robin-hood-became-increasingly/) [David Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-farr/) > [I can't bear art that you can walk round and admire. A book should be either a bandit or a rebel or a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-bear-art-that-you-can-walk-round-and-admire-a-book-should-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I lean up on my elbows and see Luke and Bessie,who trump both the stick and me as Bandit races toward them, Bessie already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecia-whitaker/i-lean-up-on-my-elbows-and-see-luke-and-bessie-who-trump-both-the/) [Alecia Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecia-whitaker/) > [Sperm is a bandit in its pure state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/sperm-is-a-bandit-in-its-pure-state/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [As a director, my job is to spend money, and the producer's is to save money. Masoom, Bandit Queen and the first Queen Elizabeth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shekhar-kapur/as-a-director-my-job-is-to-spend-money-and-the-producer-s-is-to-save/) [Shekhar Kapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shekhar-kapur/) > [Yes, I was called the 'Bandit Queen' at my home and in the neighbourhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-chakraborty/yes-i-was-called-the-bandit-queen-at-my-home-and-in-the-neighbourhood/) [Mimi Chakraborty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-chakraborty/) > [It's one thing to be helpless as one tries to lace a corset or to mount an elephant, quite another to be helpless as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-speed/it-s-one-thing-to-be-helpless-as-one-tries-to-lace-a-corset-or-to/) [John Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-speed/) > [ Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture \[Hal Needham \] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-first-picture-hal-needham-directed-and/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [I'm the young city bandit, hold myself down singlehanded For murder raps, I kick my thoughts alone, get remanded Born alone, die alone, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-m-the-young-city-bandit-hold-myself-down-singlehanded-for-murder/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## More by Adrian Tchaikovsky > [“You're not like other Wasps." "Aren't I?" Aagen smiled, but it was a painful smile. "No doubt you've killed my kinsmen by the score."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/you-re-not-like-other-wasps-aren-t-i-aagen-smiled-but-it-was-a/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“The ice had been retreating. Humanity had sprung back swiftly, expanded, fought its small wars, re-industrialized, tripping constantly over reminders of what the species…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/the-ice-had-been-retreating-humanity-had-sprung-back-swiftly-expanded/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [Progress is made by the improvement of people, not the improvement of machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/progress-is-made-by-the-improvement-of-people-not-the-improvement-of/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“ We couldn't trust them. They couldn't trust us. Mutual attempts at destruction are the only logical result . He thought of human dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/we-couldn-t-trust-them-they-couldn-t-trust-us-mutual-attempts-at/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“Back in Seven Trees, the remaining local males are hard at work. Some have fled, but most of the evacuees are female. Males are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/back-in-seven-trees-the-remaining-local-males-are-hard-at-work-some/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“there is a depth to life beyond the simple dimensions that she can perceive and calculate in, and so . . . who knows?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/there-is-a-depth-to-life-beyond-the-simple-dimensions-that-she-can/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“The past is no man’s clay for remodelling. It is fired the moment it is moulded, alas. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/the-past-is-no-man-s-clay-for-remodelling-it-is-fired-the-moment-it/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“We do not respect our enemies; we despair of them. Your struggle, your fierce will to prevail in spite of all, we do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/we-do-not-respect-our-enemies-we-despair-of-them-your-struggle-your/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [ “I have taken on many Understandings in my life \[...\]. I have listened to another Messenger's incomprehensible signals in the night. The thing you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/i-have-taken-on-many-understandings-in-my-life-i-have-listened-to/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“Justice is like some unnatural hybrid flower you people have bred. It will not live long unless you keep it sheltered and warm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/justice-is-like-some-unnatural-hybrid-flower-you-people-have-bred-it/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“Mankind brooks no competitors, She has explained to them – not even its own reflection. For”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/mankind-brooks-no-competitors-she-has-explained-to-them-not-even-its/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“It took a long time to work out how to do it, but in the end she was only information, after all. Everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/it-took-a-long-time-to-work-out-how-to-do-it-but-in-the-end-she-was/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“And then it dropped lower, and her eyes caught it in all its pale majesty. It was a moth, no more, no less, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/and-then-it-dropped-lower-and-her-eyes-caught-it-in-all-its-pale/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“She has improved the lives of her species in a dozen separate ways, for she has a mind that can see answers to problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/she-has-improved-the-lives-of-her-species-in-a-dozen-separate-ways/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) > [“Ah, but it is an interesting thing, that these things can so seldom be proved. If I were to perform some piece of, hrmf,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tchaikovsky/ah-but-it-is-an-interesting-thing-that-these-things-can-so-seldom-be/) [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) [Explore all 29 Adrian Tchaikovsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tchaikovsky/) ## More Bandit quotes > [I'm the young city bandit, hold myself down singlehanded For murder raps, I kick my thoughts alone, get remanded Born alone, die alone, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-m-the-young-city-bandit-hold-myself-down-singlehanded-for-murder/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [ Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture \[Hal Needham \] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-first-picture-hal-needham-directed-and/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [It's one thing to be helpless as one tries to lace a corset or to mount an elephant, quite another to be helpless as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-speed/it-s-one-thing-to-be-helpless-as-one-tries-to-lace-a-corset-or-to/) [John Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-speed/) > [Yes, I was called the 'Bandit Queen' at my home and in the neighbourhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-chakraborty/yes-i-was-called-the-bandit-queen-at-my-home-and-in-the-neighbourhood/) [Mimi Chakraborty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-chakraborty/) > [As a director, my job is to spend money, and the producer's is to save money. Masoom, Bandit Queen and the first Queen Elizabeth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shekhar-kapur/as-a-director-my-job-is-to-spend-money-and-the-producer-s-is-to-save/) [Shekhar Kapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shekhar-kapur/) > [Sperm is a bandit in its pure state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/sperm-is-a-bandit-in-its-pure-state/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [“I lean up on my elbows and see Luke and Bessie,who trump both the stick and me as Bandit races toward them, Bessie already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecia-whitaker/i-lean-up-on-my-elbows-and-see-luke-and-bessie-who-trump-both-the/) [Alecia Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecia-whitaker/) > [I can't bear art that you can walk round and admire. A book should be either a bandit or a rebel or a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-bear-art-that-you-can-walk-round-and-admire-a-book-should-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was very struck by the fact that Robin Hood became increasingly taken over by the middle and upper classes. He starts out a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farr/i-was-very-struck-by-the-fact-that-robin-hood-became-increasingly/) [David Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-farr/) > [“Then the bandit turned tail and broke for the open. Greeley hit the sidewalk only seconds after him, big as he was and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornell-woolrich/then-the-bandit-turned-tail-and-broke-for-the-open-greeley-hit-the/) [Cornell Woolrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornell-woolrich/) > [Time -- when pursued like a bandit -- will behave like one; always remaining one country or one room ahead of you, changing its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/time-when-pursued-like-a-bandit-will-behave-like-one-always-remaining/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [ I'm really much more like Phil Potter from \[the 1979 film\] Starting Over. People do think I'm the Bandit \[from Smokey and the Bandit… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/i-m-really-much-more-like-phil-potter-from-the-1979-film-starting/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [Bob Taylor and I playing brothers. And I was a Mexican bandit. And he was the sheriff of the town. And we loved each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-quinn/bob-taylor-and-i-playing-brothers-and-i-was-a-mexican-bandit-and-he/) [Anthony Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-quinn/) > [Smokey and The Bandit was just a lark. All we did was run up and down those Georgia roads wrecking cars and having the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-reed/smokey-and-the-bandit-was-just-a-lark-all-we-did-was-run-up-and-down/) [Jerry Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-reed/) > [Truth and History. 21 Men. The Boy Bandit King - He Died As He Lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-the-kid/truth-and-history-21-men-the-boy-bandit-king-he-died-as-he-lived/) [Billy the Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-the-kid/) Browse all 40 Bandit quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A bandit, a man-hunter, a lawbreaker, a bow for hire. I never wanted any grand cause. 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