Bear Quote by Jacob Grimm
““would not feel me between your teeth. Come, take these two wicked girls, they are tender morsels for you, fat as young quails; for mercy's sake eat them!' The bear took no heed of his words, but gave the wicked creature a single blow with his paw, and he did not move again. The girls had run away,””
About This Quote
Source Story: Grimms' Fairy Tales, collected by Jacob Grimm, 19th century
A violent creature dismisses pleas for mercy, killing the wicked girls despite their pleas for compassion.
In simple terms: Violence overpowers pleading.
Key Takeaway
Beware of ignoring moral warnings.
Themes
violence
justice
compassion
consequences
Mood
dark
cautionary
reflective
Type
folklore
cautionary
moralistic
When to use this quote
- parental guidance
- conflict resolution
- teaching ethics
- storytelling
- cautionary tales
Key Concepts
Moralism
folklore
retribution
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “wickedness” in this context?
- Can mercy be shown to those deemed evil?
A Different Perspective
The tale shows that cruelty can be justified by perceived wickedness, ignoring deeper moral nuance.
