Desire Quote by David Berkowitz
“I was literally singing to myself on my way home, after the killing. The tension, the desire to kill a woman had built up in such explosive proportions that when I finally pulled the trigger, all the pressures, all the tensions, all the hatred, had just vanished, dissipated, but only for a short time.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1978 police interrogation, David Berkowitz, 1978
He describes a fleeting release of intense violent tension after a killing, noting the temporary calm before it returns.
In simple terms: Killing gave a brief, false relief from built-up rage.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that violent acts provide only temporary relief.
Themes
violence
psychology
temporary relief
Mood
distressed
reflective
Type
cautionary
psychological
When to use this quote
- post‑crime reflection
- therapy sessions
- risk assessment
- law enforcement training
Key Concepts
catharsis
addiction
psychopathology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the urge for such extreme release?
- How can one find healthier outlets for built‑up tension?
A Different Perspective
The relief is short‑lived and may lead to further aggression.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
