---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After all, killing is the ultimate…"
description: "\"“After all, killing is the ultimate expression of hatred and fear, as sex is the ultimate expression of romantic love and desire. And, as with sex, kil..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/247/barry-eisler-1009_fear_after-all-killing-is-the-ultimate-expres_1605935.jpg"
---

#  After all, killing is the ultimate expression of hatred…

![“After all, killing is the ultimate expression of hatred and fear, as sex is the ultimate expression of romantic love and desire. And, as with sex, killing a stranger who has otherwise provoked no emotion is inherently unnatural. I suppose you could say that a man who kills a stranger is not unlike…” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/247/barry-eisler-1009_fear_after-all-killing-is-the-ultimate-expres_1605935.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/247/barry-eisler-1009_fear_after-all-killing-is-the-ultimate-expres_1605935.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/247/barry-eisler-1009_fear_after-all-killing-is-the-ultimate-expres_1605935.jpg)

> ““After all, killing is the ultimate expression of hatred and fear, as sex is the ultimate expression of romantic love and desire. And, as with sex, killing a stranger who has otherwise provoked no emotion is inherently unnatural. I suppose you could say that a man who kills a stranger is not unlike a woman who has sex under analogous circumstances. That a man who is paid to kill is like a woman who is paid to fuck. Certainly the man is subject to the same reluctance, the same numbing, the same regrets. The same damage to the soul.””

[Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/)

## About This Quote

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

Killing and sex are portrayed as extreme, opposite expressions of fear/hate and love/desire; both can feel unnatural and cause deep remorse, especially when performed for pay.

**In simple terms:** Killing and sex are extreme acts that can feel wrong and cause regret, especially when done for money.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the moral weight of violent or exploitative actions.

Themes

ethics violence desire remorse

Mood

thought‑provoking serious

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- military service
- sex work
- personal guilt
- societal norms

Key Concepts

moral psychology human nature power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives people to accept such roles?
- How does society shape our view of morality?

A Different Perspective

Complex societal factors influence judgments on these acts.

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[Expression Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-hatred-1157248/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Killing Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing-stranger-6115451/) [Kills Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kills-stranger-6115452/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love And Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-desire/) [Romantic love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantic-love/) [Sex Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex-killing-4309742/)

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