--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam…" description: "\"“Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives faster than it departs. PROLOGUE ITALIAN COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS MARITIME RESCUE COORDINAT..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg" --- # Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives… ![“Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives faster than it departs. PROLOGUE ITALIAN COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER ROME An explosion of thunder shook the building as Lieutenant Pietro Renzi, dressed in his Navy whites, answered the phone in front of him.” quote by Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg) > ““Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives faster than it departs. PROLOGUE ITALIAN COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER ROME An explosion of thunder shook the building as Lieutenant Pietro Renzi, dressed in his Navy whites, answered the phone in front of him.”” [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Evil spreads quickly while good actions are slower to return. **In simple terms:** Bad things happen fast, good things take time. Key Takeaway Act swiftly to counteract harm. Themes justice urgency morality Mood tense urgent Type warning proverbial When to use this quote - crisis response - law enforcement - public safety - emergency management Key Concepts cause and effect temporal asymmetry Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions respond faster? - What safeguards slow evil? A Different Perspective Speed of evil can outpace response, creating panic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Harvath shrugged as his phone chimed. “That’s social media for you. There’s a reason the intelligence community loves it so much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/harvath-shrugged-as-his-phone-chimed-that-s-social-media-for-you/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Cowles sat next to him. Upon his lap was a soft, leather briefcase. Inside, his left hand was wrapped around the butt of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/cowles-sat-next-to-him-upon-his-lap-was-a-soft-leather-briefcase/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“whoever had written it. Placing the crime scene photo of Claire Marcourt’s body with the other two pictures, he remarked, “How about the local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/whoever-had-written-it-placing-the-crime-scene-photo-of-claire/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“As Ben Franklin was alleged to have said, those who would trade a little liberty for a little security deserve neither and will lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/as-ben-franklin-was-alleged-to-have-said-those-who-would-trade-a/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“The first thing Harvath removed was a sand-colored, modified Palafox 9mm SIG Sauer P226 pistol. It had bright green TRUGLO Tritium/Fiber-Optic Day/Night sights that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/the-first-thing-harvath-removed-was-a-sand-colored-modified-palafox/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Bullshit. I don’t know how, but somehow you followed us.” “I will admit, Agent Harvath, that when you logged on to the web site…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/bullshit-i-don-t-know-how-but-somehow-you-followed-us-i-will-admit/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Muslim students would go through a bunch of feel-good exercises and leave with the impression that without Islamic contributions to science, there would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/muslim-students-would-go-through-a-bunch-of-feel-good-exercises-and/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“yours, Rob,” she replied. “Damn it, Gretchen,” he said. “This is how it works. I can’t always give you all the information.” “Well you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/yours-rob-she-replied-damn-it-gretchen-he-said-this-is-how-it-works-i/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > ['The Last Patriot' is set in the present day but is based upon the premise that the Prophet Mohammed had a final revelation, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/the-last-patriot-is-set-in-the-present-day-but-is-based-upon-the/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Her parties were some of the best in China. Celebrities, drugs, beautiful women—they had everything. And it was those parties that had propelled her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/her-parties-were-some-of-the-best-in-china-celebrities-drugs/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“He carried no electronics. No laptop, no cell phone, no walkie-talkie. He carried no ID. Beside his large-caliber Glock, spare magazines, and a knife,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/he-carried-no-electronics-no-laptop-no-cell-phone-no-walkie-talkie-he/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [My first novel, 'The Lions of Lucerne,' just poured out of me. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. My biggest fear and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/my-first-novel-the-lions-of-lucerne-just-poured-out-of-me-it-was-an/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“While the words are yet unspoken, you are master of them; when once they are spoken, they are master of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/while-the-words-are-yet-unspoken-you-are-master-of-them-when-once/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [...all members of Congress should be required wear NASCAR uniforms. You know, the kind with the patches? That way we'd know who is sponsoring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/all-members-of-congress-should-be-required-wear-nascar-uniforms-you/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Have a smile on your face for everyone you meet, and a plan to kill them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/have-a-smile-on-your-face-for-everyone-you-meet-and-a-plan-to-kill/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) ## More by Brad Thor > [“Harvath shrugged as his phone chimed. “That’s social media for you. There’s a reason the intelligence community loves it so much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/harvath-shrugged-as-his-phone-chimed-that-s-social-media-for-you/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [...all members of Congress should be required wear NASCAR uniforms. You know, the kind with the patches? That way we'd know who is sponsoring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/all-members-of-congress-should-be-required-wear-nascar-uniforms-you/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“While the words are yet unspoken, you are master of them; when once they are spoken, they are master of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/while-the-words-are-yet-unspoken-you-are-master-of-them-when-once/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [My first novel, 'The Lions of Lucerne,' just poured out of me. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. My biggest fear and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/my-first-novel-the-lions-of-lucerne-just-poured-out-of-me-it-was-an/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“He carried no electronics. No laptop, no cell phone, no walkie-talkie. He carried no ID. Beside his large-caliber Glock, spare magazines, and a knife,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/he-carried-no-electronics-no-laptop-no-cell-phone-no-walkie-talkie-he/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Her parties were some of the best in China. Celebrities, drugs, beautiful women—they had everything. And it was those parties that had propelled her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/her-parties-were-some-of-the-best-in-china-celebrities-drugs/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > ['The Last Patriot' is set in the present day but is based upon the premise that the Prophet Mohammed had a final revelation, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/the-last-patriot-is-set-in-the-present-day-but-is-based-upon-the/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“yours, Rob,” she replied. “Damn it, Gretchen,” he said. “This is how it works. I can’t always give you all the information.” “Well you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/yours-rob-she-replied-damn-it-gretchen-he-said-this-is-how-it-works-i/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Muslim students would go through a bunch of feel-good exercises and leave with the impression that without Islamic contributions to science, there would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/muslim-students-would-go-through-a-bunch-of-feel-good-exercises-and/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Bullshit. I don’t know how, but somehow you followed us.” “I will admit, Agent Harvath, that when you logged on to the web site…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/bullshit-i-don-t-know-how-but-somehow-you-followed-us-i-will-admit/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“The first thing Harvath removed was a sand-colored, modified Palafox 9mm SIG Sauer P226 pistol. It had bright green TRUGLO Tritium/Fiber-Optic Day/Night sights that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/the-first-thing-harvath-removed-was-a-sand-colored-modified-palafox/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“As Ben Franklin was alleged to have said, those who would trade a little liberty for a little security deserve neither and will lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/as-ben-franklin-was-alleged-to-have-said-those-who-would-trade-a/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“whoever had written it. Placing the crime scene photo of Claire Marcourt’s body with the other two pictures, he remarked, “How about the local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/whoever-had-written-it-placing-the-crime-scene-photo-of-claire/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Cowles sat next to him. Upon his lap was a soft, leather briefcase. Inside, his left hand was wrapped around the butt of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/cowles-sat-next-to-him-upon-his-lap-was-a-soft-leather-briefcase/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [“Have a smile on your face for everyone you meet, and a plan to kill them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/have-a-smile-on-your-face-for-everyone-you-meet-and-a-plan-to-kill/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) [Explore all 107 Brad Thor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives faster than it departs. PROLOGUE ITALIAN COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER ROME An explosion of thunder shook the building as Lieutenant Pietro Renzi, dressed in his Navy whites, answered the phone in front of him.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brad Thor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-revertitur-evil-arrives-faster-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Lieutenant Pietro" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-revertitur-evil-arrives-faster-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/brad-thor-4616_lieutenant-pietro_godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-reverti_1648194.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur. Evil arrives faster than it departs. PROLOGUE ITALIAN COAST…” — Brad Thor", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brad Thor", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Godspeed. Citius venit malum quam revertitur....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-revertitur-evil-arrives-faster-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/godspeed-citius-venit-malum-quam-revertitur-evil-arrives-faster-than/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```