--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am the executioner. When the crime is…" description: "\"I am the executioner. When the crime is committed and the Lord God does not take vengeance nor does the exalted State move to declare and then to punis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/jay-bennett-99269_bitter_i-am-the-executioner-when-the-crime-is-c_3022983.jpg" --- # I am the executioner. When the crime is committed and the… ![“I am the executioner. When the crime is committed and the Lord God does not take vengeance nor does the exalted State move to declare and then to punish, I say when these bitter events happen, then comes the time for the executioner to declare himself or herself as the case may be. I have waited…” quote by Jay Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/jay-bennett-99269_bitter_i-am-the-executioner-when-the-crime-is-c_3022983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/jay-bennett-99269_bitter_i-am-the-executioner-when-the-crime-is-c_3022983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/561/jay-bennett-99269_bitter_i-am-the-executioner-when-the-crime-is-c_3022983.jpg) > “I am the executioner. When the crime is committed and the Lord God does not take vengeance nor does the exalted State move to declare and then to punish, I say when these bitter events happen, then comes the time for the executioner to declare himself or herself as the case may be. I have waited long enough. So the time has come, and I declare myself the executioner. The three criminals are hereby sentenced to death. By fire. By earth. By water.” Jay Bennett ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Narrator declares themselves the executioner, assigning elemental punishments to criminals, reflecting on justice and vengeance. **In simple terms:** Narrator becomes executioner, assigns fire, earth, water punishments. Key Takeaway Consider the morality of personal vengeance. Themes justice vengeance power elemental symbolism morality Mood dark intense thought‑provoking Type fictional philosophical When to use this quote - legal studies - ethical debates - creative writing - role‑play scenarios Key Concepts philosophy mythology psychology Questions to Reflect On - Is personal vengeance ever justified? - What do elemental punishments symbolize? A Different Perspective Vigilantism can undermine societal law. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Lord god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord-god/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vengeance/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [Capital punishment kills immediately, whereas lifetime imprisonment does so slowly. Which executioner is more humane? 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Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I knew from the moment I heard you, the moment I saw the gun and realized that this lovely, petit woman was the executioner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-knew-from-the-moment-i-heard-you-the-moment-i-saw-the-gun-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Revenge proves itself to be its own executioner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/revenge-proves-itself-to-be-its-own-executioner/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) ## More by Jay Bennett > [How can you veto an idea you haven't heard?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-bennett/how-can-you-veto-an-idea-you-haven-t-heard/) Jay Bennett Explore all 2 Jay Bennett quotes ## More Bitter quotes > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. 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