--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Playing the villain was the only thing…" description: "\"“Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really excelled at.”\" — Holly Black" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png" --- # Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really… ![“Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really excelled at.” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png) > ““Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really excelled at.”” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The villain role is where the character truly excels, highlighting comfort in antagonism. **In simple terms:** Villains suit his talent. Key Takeaway Embrace your strengths. Themes identity talent roleplaying Mood playful reflective Type creative psychological When to use this quote - acting auditions - gaming - creative writing - team dynamics Key Concepts character archetype self‑acceptance performance Questions to Reflect On - Do you thrive in opposition? - Can you channel that skill positively? A Different Perspective Excelling as a villain may limit growth in other areas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cardan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan/) [Excelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excelled/) [Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain/) ## Related quotes > [A villain must be a thing of power, handled with delicacy and grace. He must be wicked enough to excite our aversion, strong enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/a-villain-must-be-a-thing-of-power-handled-with-delicacy-and-grace-he/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [“I think of Madoc, dozing away upstairs, all his dreams of murder. I think of Oriana and Oak being forced apart for years. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-think-of-madoc-dozing-away-upstairs-all-his-dreams-of-murder-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [We weave our real lives into our WWE lives. We just look at what's happening in our lives, and what can we do? What's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-miz/we-weave-our-real-lives-into-our-wwe-lives-we-just-look-at-what-s/) [The Miz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-miz/) > [“...if you have the ambition to become a villain, the first thing you should do is learn to be impenetrable. Don’t act like Blofeld—monocled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/if-you-have-the-ambition-to-become-a-villain-the-first-thing-you/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [I dont think playing a villain is my greatest talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-waterston/i-dont-think-playing-a-villain-is-my-greatest-talent/) [Sam Waterston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-waterston/) > [You can't think that you're playing a villain, or you'll end up with a cartoon. You have to think about him as a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-berenger/you-can-t-think-that-you-re-playing-a-villain-or-you-ll-end-up-with-a/) [Tom Berenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-berenger/) > [The hardest part of playing the villain was the prosthetics, because I couldn't really move my face as much as I wanted to, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-patrick-harris/the-hardest-part-of-playing-the-villain-was-the-prosthetics-because-i/) [Neil Patrick Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-patrick-harris/) > [I'm incredibly grateful to be playing the villain in a world which, if I really thought to hard about what I was doing, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hardy/i-m-incredibly-grateful-to-be-playing-the-villain-in-a-world-which-if/) [Tom Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hardy/) > [I find the trick to playing a villain is that you can't be bad for the sake of being bad. It has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-davis/i-find-the-trick-to-playing-a-villain-is-that-you-can-t-be-bad-for/) [Matthew Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-davis/) > [There is something very exciting when you're playing a villain. You're being a rebel within the story because you are breaking the norms, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-raj-bhasin/there-is-something-very-exciting-when-you-re-playing-a-villain-you-re/) [Tahir Raj Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-raj-bhasin/) > [I was playing the villain 'Falseface' on Batman, and I got wind that they were going to pay a young starlet $25,000 to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-throne/i-was-playing-the-villain-falseface-on-batman-and-i-got-wind-that/) Malachi Throne > [It's always fun playing a villain, I do have to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-henwick/it-s-always-fun-playing-a-villain-i-do-have-to-say/) [Jessica Henwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-henwick/) > [I love playing a villain. I think that there's something freeing about that, and it's a different kind of challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dean-morgan/i-love-playing-a-villain-i-think-that-there-s-something-freeing-about/) [Jeffrey Dean Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dean-morgan/) > [Of course I enjoy playing the villain. Some of these players are 10 times better than you on the pitch, so you've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-barnes/of-course-i-enjoy-playing-the-villain-some-of-these-players-are-10/) [Ashley Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-barnes/) > [It gives me a chance to explore so many dynamics - that's what we actors dream of doing. So, I love playing the villain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-robinson/it-gives-me-a-chance-to-explore-so-many-dynamics-that-s-what-we/) [Angela Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-robinson/) ## More by Holly Black > [“What they don’t realize is this: Yes, they frighten me, but I have always been scared, since the day I got here. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. Can’t live with them, can’t murder them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-s-family-for-you-can-t-live-with-them-can-t-murder-them/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Let her alone,' said the enkanto, 'or I will curse you blind, lame, and worse.' The old man laughed. 'I'm a curse breaker, fool.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-her-alone-said-the-enkanto-or-i-will-curse-you-blind-lame-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“lt's an honor and a delight to meet you and a tragedy you're here”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/lt-s-an-honor-and-a-delight-to-meet-you-and-a-tragedy-you-re-here/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No fire at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-fire-at-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“His wax-white skin was cool to the touch when she brushed his neck to find the knot of cloth. She'd never been this close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-wax-white-skin-was-cool-to-the-touch-when-she-brushed-his-neck-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [So what are you really wearing?" The words left her mouth before she could consider them. She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-was-how-she-felt-right-then-as-if-there-was-too-much-of-her-as/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It was a vow, a piece of a chant, their scripture, something they took so seriously that saying it aloud embarrassed them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-was-a-vow-a-piece-of-a-chant-their-scripture-something-they-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Some broken things stay broken”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/some-broken-things-stay-broken/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Explore all 666 Holly Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More Cardan quotes > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Are you angry about-' He cuts himself off, looking at my face more carefully. 'No, you're afraid. But why would you be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/are-you-angry-about-he-cuts-himself-off-looking-at-my-face-more/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Then Cardan comes in to view, a fond smile on his lips. When he speaks, he does so in a conspiratorial whisper. 'When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/then-cardan-comes-in-to-view-a-fond-smile-on-his-lips-when-he-speaks/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/most-of-all-i-hate-you-because-i-think-of-you-often-it-s-disgusting/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He realizes he doesn't want to play this game, once so familiar to him. He has no interest in trading barbs. He has no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-realizes-he-doesn-t-want-to-play-this-game-once-so-familiar-to-him/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kill him, a part of me says, a part I remember from the night I took him captive. Kill him before he makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kill-him-a-part-of-me-says-a-part-i-remember-from-the-night-i-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I have thought and thought since you were gone, and there is something I wish to say.' Cardan's face is serious, almost grave, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-have-thought-and-thought-since-you-were-gone-and-there-is-something/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I think of Madoc, dozing away upstairs, all his dreams of murder. I think of Oriana and Oak being forced apart for years. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-think-of-madoc-dozing-away-upstairs-all-his-dreams-of-murder-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It is said that faerie children are not like mortal children. They need little in the way of love. They need not be tucked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-is-said-that-faerie-children-are-not-like-mortal-children-they/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“She's my wife," Cardan says, his voice carrying over the crowd. "The rightful High Queen of Elfhame. And most definitely not in exile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/she-s-my-wife-cardan-says-his-voice-carrying-over-the-crowd-the/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“My sweet nemesis , how glad I am that you returned”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/my-sweet-nemesis-how-glad-i-am-that-you-returned/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You should go.' 'This is my room,' he points out, affronted. 'And that's my wife.' 'So you keep telling everyone,' the Bomb says. 'But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-should-go-this-is-my-room-he-points-out-affronted-and-that-s-my/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Jude, he'd said, running a hand up my calf, are you afraid of me?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/jude-he-d-said-running-a-hand-up-my-calf-are-you-afraid-of-me/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The Roach clasps his hand on the back of my neck with a laugh. 'You did good, kid, you know that? You came out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-roach-clasps-his-hand-on-the-back-of-my-neck-with-a-laugh-you-did/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I recall that your hands were on her, but her eyes were on me,' Cardan returns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-recall-that-your-hands-were-on-her-but-her-eyes-were-on-me-cardan/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Browse all 92 Cardan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really excelled at.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Holly Black" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-he-d-ever-really-excelled-at/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cardan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-he-d-ever-really-excelled-at/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/holly-black-329_cardan_playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-h_2099306.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Playing the villain was the only thing he’d ever really excelled at.” — Holly Black", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Holly Black", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Playing the villain was the only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-he-d-ever-really-excelled-at/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/playing-the-villain-was-the-only-thing-he-d-ever-really-excelled-at/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```