--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When he awakened again he could stand…" description: "\"“When he awakened again he could stand, and did. He doused his head in cold water and drank four glasses of water. The water made him sick and after th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/dashiell-hammett-3863_cold-water_when-he-awakened-again-he-could-stand-an_2477236.png" --- # When he awakened again he could stand, and did. He doused… ![“When he awakened again he could stand, and did. He doused his head in cold water and drank four glasses of water. The water made him sick and after that he began to shake with a chill. He went into the bedroom and lay down on the bare blood-stained mattress, but got up almost immediately to go…” quote by Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/dashiell-hammett-3863_cold-water_when-he-awakened-again-he-could-stand-an_2477236.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/dashiell-hammett-3863_cold-water_when-he-awakened-again-he-could-stand-an_2477236.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/dashiell-hammett-3863_cold-water_when-he-awakened-again-he-could-stand-an_2477236.png) > ““When he awakened again he could stand, and did. He doused his head in cold water and drank four glasses of water. The water made him sick and after that he began to shake with a chill. He went into the bedroom and lay down on the bare blood-stained mattress, but got up almost immediately to go stumbling and staggering in haste back to the bathroom, where he got down on hands and knees and searched the floor until he had found the rusty razor-blade. He sat on the floor and put the razor-blade into his vest-pocket. Putting it in, his fingers touched his lighter. He took the lighter out and looked at it. A cunning gleam came into his one open eye as he looked at the lighter. The gleam was not sane.”” [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desperate man, after a series of frantic actions, finds a lighter and a razor, showing a moment of dangerous resolve. **In simple terms:** A frantic man grabs a lighter and razor, hinting at a violent plan. Key Takeaway Recognize warning signs of self‑harm. Themes psychology danger desperation Mood distressed tense Type literary psychological When to use this quote - emergency intervention - mental health support - risk assessment Key Concepts self‑harm mental crisis weapon acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What underlying issues drive such extreme behavior? - How can early intervention prevent escalation? A Different Perspective The protagonist’s actions may stem from deeper trauma, not just momentary panic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-water/) ## Related quotes > [They say milk gives you strength so I drank 5 glasses and still couldn't move a wall… I tried 5 shots of vodka and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tequilamucho/they-say-milk-gives-you-strength-so-i-drank-5-glasses-and-still/) Tequilamucho > [“Whatever, man. Whatever. I’ll see you in hell.” I left the pack of smokes there on the table for him, but I took my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wier/whatever-man-whatever-i-ll-see-you-in-hell-i-left-the-pack-of-smokes/) [George Wier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wier/) > [That was when I cut my arms with a razor blade as a means of creative expression. I only did it lightly, just grazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/that-was-when-i-cut-my-arms-with-a-razor-blade-as-a-means-of-creative/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [When I tell my mum I'm going to bed I'm actually going to my room lock my door and grab my razor blade start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fading-scars/when-i-tell-my-mum-i-m-going-to-bed-i-m-actually-going-to-my-room/) Fading\_scars > [I'm cold as a razor blade, inches from madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-cold-as-a-razor-blade-inches-from-madness/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Halloween is just a made up holiday, created by the razor blade industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/halloween-is-just-a-made-up-holiday-created-by-the-razor-blade/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [As we shave it happens that we cut ourself with the razor blade; this does not mean that we must not shave in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-s-iyengar/as-we-shave-it-happens-that-we-cut-ourself-with-the-razor-blade-this/) [B.K.S. Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-k-s-iyengar/) > [Perhaps the little Negro girl was holding a concealed razor blade. Maybe she was one of the troublemakers out for a fresh white scalp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/perhaps-the-little-negro-girl-was-holding-a-concealed-razor-blade/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“It's like reaching into a sack full of cotton and finding a razor blade inside, everything constant and undeviating and then that one dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-doerr/it-s-like-reaching-into-a-sack-full-of-cotton-and-finding-a-razor/) [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) > [In most cases a loners bestfriends are a razor blade and music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coldheart/in-most-cases-a-loners-bestfriends-are-a-razor-blade-and-music/) [Coldheart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coldheart/) > [“... with all the sweetness of a chocolate-coated razor-blade.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-greenwood/with-all-the-sweetness-of-a-chocolate-coated-razor-blade/) [Kerry Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-greenwood/) > [I remember that piece of glass. It changed my life. It then switched to a razor blade. It made my life better. Now it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naquitta-faith/i-remember-that-piece-of-glass-it-changed-my-life-it-then-switched-to/) [Naquitta Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naquitta-faith/) > [My razor blade numbs my pain, I dont like cutting but it makes me realize... that I'm still alive, do not ask why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-razor-blade-numbs-my-pain-i-dont-like-cutting-but-it-makes-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The razor blade hanging from her neck made her feel brave. Honest. A naked blade hid nothing, feared nothing. She wanted to be like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-cross/the-razor-blade-hanging-from-her-neck-made-her-feel-brave-honest-a/) [Sarah Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-cross/) > [Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) ## More by Dashiell Hammett > [It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/it-s-sometimes-better-to-pretend-i-don-t-hear-the-sound-of-somebody/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“This damned burg's getting me. If I don't get away soon I'll be going blood-simple like the natives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/this-damned-burg-s-getting-me-if-i-don-t-get-away-soon-i-ll-be-going/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“You know Quinn?" Macaulay asked me. "Ten minutes ago I was putting him to bed." Macaulay grinned. "I hope you keep his acquaintance like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/you-know-quinn-macaulay-asked-me-ten-minutes-ago-i-was-putting-him-to/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“Gutman smiled benignly at him and said: “Well, Wilmer, I’m sorry indeed to lose you, and I want you to know that I couldn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/gutman-smiled-benignly-at-him-and-said-well-wilmer-i-m-sorry-indeed/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/i-guess-i-can-put-two-and-two-together-sometimes-the-answer-s-four-i/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Nora: "How do you feel?" Nick: "Terrible. I must've gone to bed sober.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/nora-how-do-you-feel-nick-terrible-i-must-ve-gone-to-bed-sober/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [A lot of fancier yarns come from people trying to tell the truth. It’s not easy once you’re out of the habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/a-lot-of-fancier-yarns-come-from-people-trying-to-tell-the-truth-it-s/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Three times I have been mistaken for a prohibition agent, but never had any trouble clearing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/three-times-i-have-been-mistaken-for-a-prohibition-agent-but-never/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Listen, Dundy, it's been a long time since I burst into tears because a policeman didn't like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/listen-dundy-it-s-been-a-long-time-since-i-burst-into-tears-because-a/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“...What do people think about my staying with Harrison with him chasing everything that's hot and hollow?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/what-do-people-think-about-my-staying-with-harrison-with-him-chasing/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“Don't be so damned patronizing. Your performance so far has been a little less than dazzling." "I didn't mean no harm," I said and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/don-t-be-so-damned-patronizing-your-performance-so-far-has-been-a/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [...What disturbed him was the discovery that in sensibly ordering his affairs he had got out of step, and not into step, with Life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/what-disturbed-him-was-the-discovery-that-in-sensibly-ordering-his/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [I haven't any sort of plans for the future but I reckon things will work out in some manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/i-haven-t-any-sort-of-plans-for-the-future-but-i-reckon-things-will/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [To get what he wanted, a man had to give other people what they wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/to-get-what-he-wanted-a-man-had-to-give-other-people-what-they-wanted/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [He felt like somebody had taken the lid off life and let him see the works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/he-felt-like-somebody-had-taken-the-lid-off-life-and-let-him-see-the/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) [Explore all 119 Dashiell Hammett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) ## More Cold water quotes > [“For a long time before I met you, I felt my life was this kind of test. I was in deep, cold water, swimming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-raeder/for-a-long-time-before-i-met-you-i-felt-my-life-was-this-kind-of-test/) [Leah Raeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-raeder/) > [“You know the two most dear people to me in all the world are Madge and Anna Spears. You don't know them...Rosemary knows them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-the-two-most-dear-people-to-me-in-all-the-world-are-madge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I miss the ocean. I miss diving into the cold water and coming out a new man. On the road it's hard to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-stone/i-miss-the-ocean-i-miss-diving-into-the-cold-water-and-coming-out-a/) Angus Stone > [When the whole discussion of "developing a national idea" hastily began in post-Soviet Russia, I tried to pour cold water on it with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/when-the-whole-discussion-of-developing-a-national-idea-hastily-began/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“I tell Dylan I have to go to the bathroom. I shut the door and try to pee, but my dick's already sticking straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-kacvinsky/i-tell-dylan-i-have-to-go-to-the-bathroom-i-shut-the-door-and-try-to/) [Katie Kacvinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-kacvinsky/) > [I chose to dive into a pool of cold water in 'Ooty' though the director suggested that we use a stuntman. I was pleased…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delhi-ganesh/i-chose-to-dive-into-a-pool-of-cold-water-in-ooty-though-the-director/) [Delhi Ganesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delhi-ganesh/) > [Whereas most other modern composers are engaged in manufacturing cocktails of every hue and description, I offer the public pure cold water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-sibelius/whereas-most-other-modern-composers-are-engaged-in-manufacturing/) [Jean Sibelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-sibelius/) > [“Mr. Kaminski pulled a chain hanging from the pressed-metal kitchen ceiling, and light seeped from a bulb, casting a wan glow over a scarred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baker-kline/mr-kaminski-pulled-a-chain-hanging-from-the-pressed-metal-kitchen/) [Christina Baker Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baker-kline/) > [The scalded head feares cold water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/the-scalded-head-feares-cold-water/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [“The world made me cold. You made me water. One day we'll be clouds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pleasefindthis/the-world-made-me-cold-you-made-me-water-one-day-we-ll-be-clouds/) pleasefindthis > [“For I approach deep problems like cold baths: quickly into them and quickly out again. That one does not get to the depths that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/for-i-approach-deep-problems-like-cold-baths-quickly-into-them-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Putting your feet in ice cold water? That's not fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-howland/putting-your-feet-in-ice-cold-water-that-s-not-fun/) [Ben Howland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-howland/) > [I've made my evolutionary purpose and had children. I don't care if anybody likes me, I'm going to do what I want to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/i-ve-made-my-evolutionary-purpose-and-had-children-i-don-t-care-if/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [“Accras (Saltfish Fritters) Accras (or acrats) de morue are saltfish fritters—the French island version of Dingis’s saltfish cakes. (Morue is French for cod.) Serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-vanderhoof/accras-saltfish-fritters-accras-or-acrats-de-morue-are-saltfish/) [Ann Vanderhoof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-vanderhoof/) > [“I'll put my hand in no man's hand,' said Mr. Micawber, gasping, puffing, and sobbing, to that degree that he was like a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-ll-put-my-hand-in-no-man-s-hand-said-mr-micawber-gasping-puffing/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) [Browse all 251 Cold water quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-water/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When he awakened again he could stand, and did. He doused his head in cold water and drank four glasses of water. The water made him sick and after that he began to shake with a chill. He went into the bedroom and lay down on the bare blood-stained mattress, but got up almost immediately to go stumbling and staggering in haste back to the bathroom, where he got down on hands and knees and searched the floor until he had found the rusty razor-blade. He sat on the floor and put the razor-blade into his vest-pocket. Putting it in, his fingers touched his lighter. He took the lighter out and looked at it. A cunning gleam came into his one open eye as he looked at the lighter. 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