---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ,,The ordinary response to atrocities is…"
description: "\"“,,The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness (...) Atrocities, however, refuse to be buried\". ,,Filk wisdom is filled wi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/511/judith-herman-107754_atrocities_the-ordinary-response-to-atrocities-is-t_2755137.jpg"
---

#  ,,The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them…

![“,,The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness (...) Atrocities, however, refuse to be buried&quot;. ,,Filk wisdom is filled with ghosts who refuse to rest in their graves until their stories are told&quot;. ,,The conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to…” quote by Judith Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/511/judith-herman-107754_atrocities_the-ordinary-response-to-atrocities-is-t_2755137.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/511/judith-herman-107754_atrocities_the-ordinary-response-to-atrocities-is-t_2755137.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/511/judith-herman-107754_atrocities_the-ordinary-response-to-atrocities-is-t_2755137.jpg)

> ““,,The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness (...) Atrocities, however, refuse to be buried". ,,Filk wisdom is filled with ghosts who refuse to rest in their graves until their stories are told". ,,The conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to proclaim them aloud is the central dialectic of psychological trauma". ,,When the truth is finally recognized, survivors can begin their recovery".””

[Judith Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-herman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Denial of atrocities blocks healing; confronting truth enables recovery.

**In simple terms:** Facing truth frees survivors.

Key Takeaway

Confront and to heal.

Themes

trauma memory truth recovery psychology

Mood

somber reflective

Type

analytical educational

When to use this quote

- therapy sessions
- historical education
- personal reflection

Key Concepts

denial collective memory healing process

Questions to Reflect On

- How does remembering harm or help?
- What supports truthful acknowledgment?

A Different Perspective

Denial can protect short‑term stability.

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[Atrocities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atrocities/) [Atrocities Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atrocities-refuse-3128238/) [Consciousness Atrocities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-atrocities-3128237/) [Ghosts Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts-refuse-3128240/) [Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response/) [Response Atrocities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response-atrocities-2319983/) [Trauma Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trauma-truth-3128239/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/)

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[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

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## More by Judith Herman

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