--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Death, especially violent death, will…" description: "\"“Death, especially violent death, will turn the meanest bastard in the world into a nice guy. Why is that?”\" — Laurell K. Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/laurell-k-hamilton-199_anita-blake_death-especially-violent-death-will-turn_569432.png" --- # Death, especially violent death, will turn the meanest… ![“Death, especially violent death, will turn the meanest bastard in the world into a nice guy. Why is that?” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/laurell-k-hamilton-199_anita-blake_death-especially-violent-death-will-turn_569432.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/laurell-k-hamilton-199_anita-blake_death-especially-violent-death-will-turn_569432.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/laurell-k-hamilton-199_anita-blake_death-especially-violent-death-will-turn_569432.png) > ““Death, especially violent death, will turn the meanest bastard in the world into a nice guy. Why is that?”” [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Violent death can humanize even the worst people, prompting reflection on mortality. **In simple terms:** Violence can soften hearts. Key Takeaway Consider how mortality reshapes behavior. Themes mortality redemption human nature Mood thoughtful somber Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - prison reform - restorative justice - personal reflection Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - Why might death change behavior? - Can empathy arise without loss? A Different Perspective Not all violent deaths lead to kindness; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anita blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anita-blake/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Nice guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-guy/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) [Violent death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent-death/) ## Related quotes > [I'm the most selfless person you can ever meet until you start playing your games around me and force me to turn into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/i-m-the-most-selfless-person-you-can-ever-meet-until-you-start/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Why is everything always my decision?" I asked. Because you will not tolerate anything else." Oh, I remembered now. "Great", I whispered. - Anita…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/why-is-everything-always-my-decision-i-asked-because-you-will-not/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Auggie said you were too sentimental for your own good sometimes." Out loud he said, "Perhaps, but you have taught me that sentiment is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/auggie-said-you-were-too-sentimental-for-your-own-good-sometimes-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [The rich and powerful always seem to prefer the tops of buildings. 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Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Let’s pretend it is a threat, because you need to understand that the other officers aren’t keeping me safe from you; they’re keeping you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/let-s-pretend-it-is-a-threat-because-you-need-to-understand-that-the/) [Laurell K. 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/) > [“I hoped he was right, but one thing I've learned about vampires-they keep pulling new rabbits out of their cloaks. 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Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I couldn't think of anything helpful to say, so I resorted to humor, my shield of last resort. 'Just please tell me they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-couldn-t-think-of-anything-helpful-to-say-so-i-resorted-to-humor-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More by Laurell K. Hamilton > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [So many wonderful books to write, and not enough hours in the day. An embarrassment of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/so-many-wonderful-books-to-write-and-not-enough-hours-in-the-day-an/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [There comes a point when you either embrace who and what you are, or condemn yourself to be miserable all your days. Other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/there-comes-a-point-when-you-either-embrace-who-and-what-you-are-or/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I slowed, just a little, one to save energy, and one to let Russell catch up sooner. I took a big breath and prepared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-slowed-just-a-little-one-to-save-energy-and-one-to-let-russell/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I know that look, Blake. You are a drowning woman, and the only way out is down the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-know-that-look-blake-you-are-a-drowning-woman-and-the-only-way-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [...you don't need ghosts to be haunted. Memory does that just fine without any supernatural help at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/you-don-t-need-ghosts-to-be-haunted-memory-does-that-just-fine/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I hated missing the end of anything. I was always convinced that the bit I'd miss would be the best part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hated-missing-the-end-of-anything-i-was-always-convinced-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He made a small sigh, as he swallowed the first blood, then his mouth closed over my earlobe, mouth working at the wound, tongue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-made-a-small-sigh-as-he-swallowed-the-first-blood-then-his-mouth/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He gave a small nod, and I smiled back, and that was it. He understood that I'd understood that he'd understood. It took us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gave-a-small-nod-and-i-smiled-back-and-that-was-it-he-understood/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [ \[T\]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-around-damn-near-depressed-for/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) [Explore all 921 Laurell K. Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More Anita blake quotes > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I felt like shit, but it was happy shit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-felt-like-shit-but-it-was-happy-shit/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I was caught between going yippy-skippy i get to play with them both, and running like hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-was-caught-between-going-yippy-skippy-i-get-to-play-with-them-both/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Women may get to wear lots of pretty colors, but men get the comfortable shoes. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/women-may-get-to-wear-lots-of-pretty-colors-but-men-get-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I hoped he was right, but one thing I've learned about vampires-they keep pulling new rabbits out of their cloaks. Big, fanged, carnivorous bunnies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hoped-he-was-right-but-one-thing-i-ve-learned-about-vampires-they/) [Laurell K. 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/) > [“Let’s pretend it is a threat, because you need to understand that the other officers aren’t keeping me safe from you; they’re keeping you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/let-s-pretend-it-is-a-threat-because-you-need-to-understand-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Some moments are perfect, and then someone comes along and f\*cks it up. 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