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Crime Quote by Henry Miller

“Crime begins with God. It will end with man, when he finds God again. Crime is everywhere, in all the fibres and roots of our being. Every minute of the day adds fresh crimes to the calendar, both those which are detected and punished, and those which are not. The criminal hunts down the criminal…” quote by Henry Miller
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““Crime begins with God. It will end with man, when he finds God again. Crime is everywhere, in all the fibres and roots of our being. Every minute of the day adds fresh crimes to the calendar, both those which are detected and punished, and those which are not. The criminal hunts down the criminal. The judge condemns the judger. The innocent torture the innocent. Everywhere, in every family, every tribe, every great community, crimes, crimes, crimes. War is clean by comparison. The hangman is a gentle dove by comparison. Attila, Tamerlane, Genghis Khan reckless automatons by comparison. Your father, your darling mother, your sweet sister: do you know the foul crimes they harbor in their breasts? Can you hold the mirror to iniquity when it is close at hand? Have you looked into the labyrinth of your own despicable heart? Have you sometimes envied the thug for his forthrightness? The study of crime begins with the knowledge of oneself. All that you despise, all that you loathe, all that you reject, all that you condemn and seek to convert by punishment springs from you. The source of it is God whom you place outside, above and beyond. Crime is identification, first with God, then with your own image.””

Henry Miller

About This Quote

Source Book: The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller, 1941

Human wrongdoing originates from projecting inner flaws onto external forces, then recognizing that true accountability lies within oneself.

In simple terms: Crime stems from inner flaws blamed on God, but real cause is within.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and own your inner darkness.

Themes

self morality psychology spirituality

Mood

introspective serious

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • ethical counseling
  • conflict resolution
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

projection self-awareness responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • What inner biases drive your judgments?
  • How can self-awareness reduce blaming others?
A Different Perspective

Blaming external forces can ignore systemic issues and personal agency.

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