Compulsions Quote by Dan Wells
““Serial killers are usually—virtually always, in fact—slaves to their own compulsions. They kill because they have to, and they can't stop themselves. I don't want to get to that point, so I set up rules about smaller things—like how I like to watch people, but I don't let myself watch one person for too long. If I do, I force myself to ignore that person for a whole week, and not even think about it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey, 2014
Serial killers are driven by compulsions; the speaker imposes strict rules on attention to avoid becoming obsessed.
In simple terms: Compulsions drive harmful behavior; self‑imposed limits help.
Key Takeaway
Set personal boundaries to curb obsessive urges.
Themes
compulsion
selfcontrol
obsession
prevention
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advice
self‑help
When to use this quote
- online browsing
- social media
- research
- creative work
Key Concepts
psychology
habit formation
self‑regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you enforce limits on harmful habits?
- What triggers your compulsions?
A Different Perspective
Boundaries may be hard to maintain consistently.
