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Common humanity Quote by H.E. Bates

“There are those who talk of the evil spirit of the woods. But for me there is only one evil spirit of woods: the keeper. I suppose that, somewhere, there must be keepers who are pleasant, considerate, friendly men who love their wives and smile and exhibit other signs of common humanity. But it…” quote by H.E. Bates
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““There are those who talk of the evil spirit of the woods. But for me there is only one evil spirit of woods: the keeper. I suppose that, somewhere, there must be keepers who are pleasant, considerate, friendly men who love their wives and smile and exhibit other signs of common humanity. But it has never been my luck to meet one.””

H.E. Bates

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Keeper of the Woods, 1960

The narrator distrusts authority figures, seeing them as the true source of evil, despite folklore.

In simple terms: Authority can be the real danger, not myths.

Key Takeaway

Question authority wisely.

Themes

trust authority human nature

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • political leadership
  • corporate management
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

skepticism power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who are the “keepers” in your life?
  • How do you discern good from harmful authority?
A Different Perspective

Not all authority is evil; context matters.

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