--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This place is like the Army: the shark…" description: "\"“This place is like the Army: the shark ethic prevails--eat the wounded. In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/963/hunter-s-thompson-278_ethic_this-place-is-like-the-army-the-shark-et_2523818.jpg" --- # This place is like the Army: the shark ethic prevails--eat… ![“This place is like the Army: the shark ethic prevails--eat the wounded. In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.” quote by Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/963/hunter-s-thompson-278_ethic_this-place-is-like-the-army-the-shark-et_2523818.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/963/hunter-s-thompson-278_ethic_this-place-is-like-the-army-the-shark-et_2523818.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/963/hunter-s-thompson-278_ethic_this-place-is-like-the-army-the-shark-et_2523818.jpg) > ““This place is like the Army: the shark ethic prevails--eat the wounded. In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”” [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A cynical view that ruthless competition and moral decay dominate societies that reward aggression and punish the naive. **In simple terms:** Societies reward aggression and punish the naive. Key Takeaway Beware blind aggression; value intelligence. Themes corruption competition morality Mood cynical critical dark Type satirical political When to use this quote - political activism - law enforcement - business negotiations - personal safety - media analysis Key Concepts nihilism survivalism social critique Questions to Reflect On - What structures can protect the vulnerable? - How does intelligence outwit aggression? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize and ignore altruistic behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army Shark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army-shark-1276098/) [Ethic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic/) [Ethic Prevails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic-prevails-1276097/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Getting Caught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-caught/) [Nihilism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nihilism/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Shark Ethic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shark-ethic-1276096/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) ## Related quotes > [In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/in-a-closed-society-where-everybody-s-guilty-the-only-crime-is/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [I believe that the major operating ethic in American society right now, the most universal want and need is to be on TV. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-believe-that-the-major-operating-ethic-in-american-society-right/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Don't regret doing something, regret getting caught!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-regret-doing-something-regret-getting-caught/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a good lie and getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/if-you-ve-a-story-make-sure-it-s-a-whole-one-with-details-close-to/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [The Brixton rap scene is big - there are plenty of people to work with - but at the same time, I did find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jax-jones/the-brixton-rap-scene-is-big-there-are-plenty-of-people-to-work-with/) [Jax Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jax-jones/) > [Getting caught's half of the trip, though, isn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/getting-caught-s-half-of-the-trip-though-isn-t-it/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [The chance of a criminal getting caught, is only slightly better than getting hit by lightning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-peterson/the-chance-of-a-criminal-getting-caught-is-only-slightly-better-than/) [Michael Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-peterson/) > [I want to succeed so bad, but I understand how to sacrifice for the team. My dad always says, 'If you're not getting better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-oubre-jr/i-want-to-succeed-so-bad-but-i-understand-how-to-sacrifice-for-the/) [Kelly Oubre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-oubre-jr/) > [The only thing wrong with weed is getting caught with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-wrong-with-weed-is-getting-caught-with-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I had learned very early that not getting caught was just about the solution to every problem. If you were caught then those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-s-hyatt/i-had-learned-very-early-that-not-getting-caught-was-just-about-the/) [Christopher S. Hyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-s-hyatt/) > [“Running away is pretty pathetic, but it’s even worse getting caught.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/running-away-is-pretty-pathetic-but-it-s-even-worse-getting-caught/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [“If your plan's success hinges on not getting caught, you need another plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-your-plan-s-success-hinges-on-not-getting-caught-you-need-another/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What if his advisor found out? Would getting caught having public sex do something to his teaching assistantship? Would he still be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-cullinan/what-if-his-advisor-found-out-would-getting-caught-having-public-sex/) [Heidi Cullinan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-cullinan/) > [Retirement is wonderful. It's doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/retirement-is-wonderful-it-s-doing-nothing-without-worrying-about/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [I was smart enough to use pot without getting caught, and now I'm on the Supreme Court. If you were stupid enough to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-was-smart-enough-to-use-pot-without-getting-caught-and-now-i-m-on/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) ## More by Hunter S. Thompson > [“There was also the fact that sending a penniless writer to get $135 worth of beer was — as Khrushchev said of Nixon —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-was-also-the-fact-that-sending-a-penniless-writer-to-get-135/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Cases of champagne and scotch lay broken in the street, and everyone I saw had a bottle. They were screaming and dancing, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/cases-of-champagne-and-scotch-lay-broken-in-the-street-and-everyone-i/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No music + Bad TV = Bad mood & no pages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-music-bad-tv-bad-mood-no-pages/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No Prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-prince-what-is-a-claim/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb grey hairs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-person-who-doesn-t-scatter-the-morning-dew-will-not-comb-grey/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Hope rises and dreams flicker and die. Love plans for tomorrow and loneliness thinks of yesterday. Life is beautiful and living is pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/hope-rises-and-dreams-flicker-and-die-love-plans-for-tomorrow-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [If we get chased out of Iraq with our tail between our legs, that will be the fifth consecutive Third-world country with no hint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/if-we-get-chased-out-of-iraq-with-our-tail-between-our-legs-that-will/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Paranoia is just another mask for ignorance. The truth, when you finally chase it down is almost always far worse than your darkest visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/paranoia-is-just-another-mask-for-ignorance-the-truth-when-you/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“No doubt they all Got What Was Coming To Them. All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-doubt-they-all-got-what-was-coming-to-them-all-those-pathetically/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“For several months they'd been drifting toward political involvement, but the picture was hazy and one of the most confusing elements was their geographical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/for-several-months-they-d-been-drifting-toward-political-involvement/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [He wandered into the Newsroom and asked for a job the same way he’d walk into a barbershop and ask for a haircut, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/he-wandered-into-the-newsroom-and-asked-for-a-job-the-same-way-he-d/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There's no point in getting into politics at all unless you plan to lash things around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-no-point-in-getting-into-politics-at-all-unless-you-plan-to/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There’s a lot of things wrong with this country, but one of the few things still right with it is that a man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-a-lot-of-things-wrong-with-this-country-but-one-of-the-few/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) [Explore all 765 Hunter S. Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More Ethic quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I don't think I've met anyone with a stronger work ethic than Ray Charles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-don-t-think-i-ve-met-anyone-with-a-stronger-work-ethic-than-ray/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [All My Children taught me a great work ethic; you work so hard on a soap opera! It is a good way to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-larue/all-my-children-taught-me-a-great-work-ethic-you-work-so-hard-on-a/) [Eva LaRue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-larue/) > [The 'key-log' which must be moved to release the evolutionary process for an ethic is simply this: quit thinking about decent land-use as solely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/land-ethic/the-key-log-which-must-be-moved-to-release-the-evolutionary-process/) [Land ethic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/land-ethic/) > [What I love about the theater is the work ethic. I grew up with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/what-i-love-about-the-theater-is-the-work-ethic-i-grew-up-with-it/) [Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/) > [I understood early on that I was not the best-looking girl in the room. But I knew my advantage was a hard work ethic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/i-understood-early-on-that-i-was-not-the-best-looking-girl-in-the/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [The moralist of sheer work and obedience can be an ethic that, unwilling to face a despair of its ends, glorifies its means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-moralist-of-sheer-work-and-obedience-can-be-an-ethic-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The ethic behind songs of conscience doesn't change, even though the issues are altered from generation to generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-yarrow/the-ethic-behind-songs-of-conscience-doesn-t-change-even-though-the/) [Peter Yarrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-yarrow/) > [I'm not exceptionally fast or overly powerful. But I have a good work ethic, and I make up for it by using technique and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dot-richardson/i-m-not-exceptionally-fast-or-overly-powerful-but-i-have-a-good-work/) [Dot Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dot-richardson/) > [In 2005, I had the great honor of playing Shailene Woodley's mother in 'Felicity: An American Girl Adventure.' I was immediately impressed by her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-gay-harden/in-2005-i-had-the-great-honor-of-playing-shailene-woodley-s-mother-in/) [Marcia Gay Harden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-gay-harden/) > [Humanity is part of nature, a species that evolved among other species. The more closely we identify ourselves with the rest of life, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/humanity-is-part-of-nature-a-species-that-evolved-among-other-species/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The ethic of autonomy is based on the idea that people are, first and foremost, autonomous individuals with wants, needs, and preferences. People should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/the-ethic-of-autonomy-is-based-on-the-idea-that-people-are-first-and/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [There is a heavy emphasis in Mormonism on initiative, on responsibility, on a work ethic, and on education. If you take those elements together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/there-is-a-heavy-emphasis-in-mormonism-on-initiative-on/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Our daily work ethic - that need to always do better and top our last performance - is what makes USWNT football players who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-krieger/our-daily-work-ethic-that-need-to-always-do-better-and-top-our-last/) [Ali Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-krieger/) [Browse all 297 Ethic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This place is like the Army: the shark ethic prevails--eat the wounded. In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hunter S. 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