Bullies Quote by John Ajvide Lindqvist
““He couldn't have pulled back the lock, they couldn't simply have climbed over the sides of the stall in all of three seconds, because those weren't the rules of the game. Theirs was the intoxication of the hunter, his the terror of the prey. Once they had actually captured him the fun was over and the punishment more of a duty that had to be carried out. If he gave up too early there was a chance they would put more of their energy into the punishment instead of the hunt.””
About This Quote
The hunter’s thrill depends on the prey’s fear; ending the chase removes purpose, turning punishment into duty.
In simple terms: Hunting’s excitement comes from fear; without it, duty feels empty.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of deriving purpose from others’ suffering.
Themes
power
predation
ethics
purpose
Mood
dark
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- sports competition
- law enforcement
- animal hunting
- gaming dynamics
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology of aggression
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your sense of purpose?
- Is it ethical to find meaning in another’s fear?
A Different Perspective
Such a mindset can justify cruelty and ignore empathy.
![“I don't have to fight or run," [Locke] cackled. "I changed the rules of the game. I just have to keep you here...asshole. Here...until...Jean gets back.” quote by Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d3/scott-lynch-1437_locke-lamora-gentlem_i-don-t-have-to-fight-or-run-locke-cackl_368177.jpg)
