--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nobody starts out evil - we know that…" description: "\"Nobody starts out evil - we know that. It's life circumstances that lead them to that.\" — Josh Trank" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/josh-trank-18366_circumstances_nobody-starts-out-evil-we-know-that-it-s_1383725.jpg" --- # Nobody starts out evil - we know that. It's life… ![“Nobody starts out evil - we know that. It's life circumstances that lead them to that.” quote by Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/josh-trank-18366_circumstances_nobody-starts-out-evil-we-know-that-it-s_1383725.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/josh-trank-18366_circumstances_nobody-starts-out-evil-we-know-that-it-s_1383725.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ce/josh-trank-18366_circumstances_nobody-starts-out-evil-we-know-that-it-s_1383725.jpg) > “Nobody starts out evil - we know that. It's life circumstances that lead them to that.” [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People are not inherently evil; circumstances shape behavior and moral choices. **In simple terms:** Circumstances, not nature, create evil. Key Takeaway Consider context before judging. Themes morality environment human nature Mood analytical empathetic Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - justice system - social policy - education reform Key Concepts determinism ethical relativism Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance personal responsibility with situational influence? - What systems can mitigate harmful circumstances? A Different Perspective Not all harmful actions are fully accountable to the individual. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [There are two circumstances that lead to arrogance: one is when you're wrong and you can't face it; the other is when you're right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/there-are-two-circumstances-that-lead-to-arrogance-one-is-when-you-re/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [If you're growing up in a chaotic world without reason, your instinct is to become a performer and control the circumstances around you. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/if-you-re-growing-up-in-a-chaotic-world-without-reason-your-instinct/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [But yet, I say, if imputation and strong circumstances, which lead directly to the door of truth, will give you satisfaction, you may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-yet-i-say-if-imputation-and-strong-circumstances-which-lead/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-circumstances-lead-me-i-will-find-where-truth-is-hid-though-it/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [We do not know how to eliminate evil, but we do know how to feed some of the hungry and heal some of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/we-do-not-know-how-to-eliminate-evil-but-we-do-know-how-to-feed-some/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [It is a law of our humanity, that man must know both good and evil; he must know good through evil. There never was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/it-is-a-law-of-our-humanity-that-man-must-know-both-good-and-evil-he/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [“We see the evil in others because we know the evil in ourselves. We never forgive those whou wound us because we believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-see-the-evil-in-others-because-we-know-the-evil-in-ourselves-we/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [And I must believe that man has the power to know the right, to choose between good and evil and know that his choice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/and-i-must-believe-that-man-has-the-power-to-know-the-right-to-choose/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [Factory farming's evil; you know that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ripert/factory-farming-s-evil-you-know-that/) [Eric Ripert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ripert/) > [But how can you know anything of the impression made on others? Who can assure you that others do not draw therefrom incentives to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xii/but-how-can-you-know-anything-of-the-impression-made-on-others-who/) [Pope Pius XII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xii/) > [You’re evil, you know that?” I said. She grinned and shook her head. “Chaotic Neutral, sugar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/you-re-evil-you-know-that-i-said-she-grinned-and-shook-her-head/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [The evil that we know is best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-evil-that-we-know-is-best/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [“You heard him say it? 'Pain's the only evil I know about.' You heard that?" The monk nodded solemnly. "And that society is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-m-miller-jr/you-heard-him-say-it-pain-s-the-only-evil-i-know-about-you-heard-that/) [Walter M. Miller Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-m-miller-jr/) > [“The evil you know is better than the evil you don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/the-evil-you-know-is-better-than-the-evil-you-don-t/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Whoever do evil, do not know God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/whoever-do-evil-do-not-know-god/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## More by Josh Trank > [I was made fun of by a lot of other kids in such a way that I didn't feel like I was human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/i-was-made-fun-of-by-a-lot-of-other-kids-in-such-a-way-that-i-didn-t/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [When I was in middle school and high school, I was over 100 pounds overweight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/when-i-was-in-middle-school-and-high-school-i-was-over-100-pounds/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [In older science fiction stories, they had to rely on storytelling as opposed to spectacle. The old run of the 'Twilight Zone,' the star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/in-older-science-fiction-stories-they-had-to-rely-on-storytelling-as/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [There are as many great superhero movies as there are comedies and dramas and cartoons. People just want to see good movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/there-are-as-many-great-superhero-movies-as-there-are-comedies-and/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > ['Bowling For Columbine' and 'Gus Van Sant's Elephant' really intrigued me. With 'Bowling For Columbine', I think Michael Moore just gave the perfect exploration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/bowling-for-columbine-and-gus-van-sant-s-elephant-really-intrigued-me/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [We live in a time where there's a required instant gratification from audiences. That's a fun challenge in terms of putting together this teaser,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/we-live-in-a-time-where-there-s-a-required-instant-gratification-from/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [In this day and age, people have come to expect that artists are going to give everybody information on Twitter about what they're doing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/in-this-day-and-age-people-have-come-to-expect-that-artists-are-going/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I think maybe there's a part of me that needs adversity from the rest of the world in order to feel motivated to want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/i-think-maybe-there-s-a-part-of-me-that-needs-adversity-from-the-rest/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I ended up losing weight and going through a lot of stuff, but yeah, that is so much of my life and my past.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/i-ended-up-losing-weight-and-going-through-a-lot-of-stuff-but-yeah/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [Most superheroes are painted with a specific moral objective that makes them who they are. And that moral objective influences everything they do, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/most-superheroes-are-painted-with-a-specific-moral-objective-that/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [By the way, I have had zero press training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/by-the-way-i-have-had-zero-press-training/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [Because videogames are so inherently influenced by movies, to take a movie and literally create a videogame out of it, you're immediately setting limitations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/because-videogames-are-so-inherently-influenced-by-movies-to-take-a/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > ['Fast Times At Ridgemont High' is one of my favorite movies; it's a film that's a human comedy, it's a drama, and the characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-is-one-of-my-favorite-movies-it-s-a-film/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I love how 'Misfits' is a drama-comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/i-love-how-misfits-is-a-drama-comedy/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I grew up in the '90s, and I loved Nirvana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/i-grew-up-in-the-90s-and-i-loved-nirvana/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) [Explore all 35 Josh Trank quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nobody starts out evil - we know that. 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