--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger…" description: "\"“Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger. One of two things will happen to you. You will either be hurt and wish you were dead, or you will end up dead..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/mary-abshire-41826_emotions_emotions-are-destructive-ms-dillinger-on_2284064.jpg" --- # Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger. One of two things… ![“Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger. One of two things will happen to you. You will either be hurt and wish you were dead, or you will end up dead.” Katie stopped in front of the next cooler and checked inside. “I’m human. What am I supposed to do? Just…be?” “Welcome to the world.” quote by Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/mary-abshire-41826_emotions_emotions-are-destructive-ms-dillinger-on_2284064.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/mary-abshire-41826_emotions_emotions-are-destructive-ms-dillinger-on_2284064.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/mary-abshire-41826_emotions_emotions-are-destructive-ms-dillinger-on_2284064.jpg) > ““Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger. One of two things will happen to you. You will either be hurt and wish you were dead, or you will end up dead.” Katie stopped in front of the next cooler and checked inside. “I’m human. What am I supposed to do? Just…be?” “Welcome to the world.”” [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The character faces a choice between being hurt and dying, reflecting on human vulnerability and existential doubt. **In simple terms:** Painful choices define existence. Key Takeaway Accept humanity and seek purpose. Themes existential crisis human vulnerability choice Mood introspective philosophical Type literary dramatic When to use this quote - therapy - support groups - personal journaling Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does “being human” mean to you? - How can you find meaning beyond pain? A Different Perspective The dichotomy may oversimplify complex emotional states. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Urban-fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urban-fantasy/) [Vampire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vampire/) [Vampires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vampires/) ## Related quotes > [“How can you be mad that something doesn't happen, when it would hurt another person? If she had to quit for her health, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-zappia/how-can-you-be-mad-that-something-doesn-t-happen-when-it-would-hurt/) [Francesca Zappia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-zappia/) > [“Sometimes even stuff you expect to happen can still hurt”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-brown/sometimes-even-stuff-you-expect-to-happen-can-still-hurt/) [Jennifer Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-brown/) > [“Jules turned off the faucet and the room became silent except for the ticking clock. “Promise me one thing.” She picked up the dishtowel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/jules-turned-off-the-faucet-and-the-room-became-silent-except-for-the/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“You can’t fight like this. You’re not prepared and you are in no means in control of your emotions.” Blood rushed to her head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/you-can-t-fight-like-this-you-re-not-prepared-and-you-are-in-no-means/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“One woman against two bloodsuckers. This I got to see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/one-woman-against-two-bloodsuckers-this-i-got-to-see/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [I know that I have hurt you and wish I could take it back. I wish I could take back the hours and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiana-webb/i-know-that-i-have-hurt-you-and-wish-i-could-take-it-back-i-wish-i/) [Tiana Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiana-webb/) > [Sometimes I think of how much you hurt me and I wish I could hurt you back. But then I realize I'd just be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-think-of-how-much-you-hurt-me-and-i-wish-i-could-hurt-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Tired of running Dont want to face The truth of my life That feels a disgrace Sick of faking The same smile everyday Cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tired-of-running-dont-want-to-face-the-truth-of-my-life-that-feels-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I got this strong feeling of missing him, like he was someone who I loved who had died and gone away, someone who was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-zarr/i-got-this-strong-feeling-of-missing-him-like-he-was-someone-who-i/) [Sara Zarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-zarr/) > [“Didn’t you hear anything that I just said to you?’ ‘Yes,’ said Damen. ‘You tried to hurt me, and you have. I wish you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/didn-t-you-hear-anything-that-i-just-said-to-you-yes-said-damen-you/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [“You wished for me, Athenians; I am here. Do not question me, do not hurt me; I am the wish sprung from your heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-renault/you-wished-for-me-athenians-i-am-here-do-not-question-me-do-not-hurt/) [Mary Renault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-renault/) > [I've hurt you more than anything , I wish , I could go back and fix everything . realized , I've lost something so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-hurt-you-more-than-anything-i-wish-i-could-go-back-and-fix/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I Were To Die Tonight... Would you miss me if I was gone would you hate me if I had to leave would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-were-to-die-tonight-would-you-miss-me-if-i-was-gone-would-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Those guy who hurt you, I wish they just fly and disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khat-leen/those-guy-who-hurt-you-i-wish-they-just-fly-and-disappear/) [Khat Leen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khat-leen/) > [I hate feeling like there's no hope in my life. Always being lied too, always being yelled at, always being let down all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blondie/i-hate-feeling-like-there-s-no-hope-in-my-life-always-being-lied-too/) [Blondie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blondie/) ## More by Mary Abshire > [“Jules turned off the faucet and the room became silent except for the ticking clock. “Promise me one thing.” She picked up the dishtowel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/jules-turned-off-the-faucet-and-the-room-became-silent-except-for-the/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“So, you don’t drink much,” he said. “What about food?” “No, I don’t eat food. I tried it once a long time ago when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/so-you-don-t-drink-much-he-said-what-about-food-no-i-don-t-eat-food-i/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“…“What the hell happened? I keep replaying everything and returning to the point where you held a dead man’s head in your hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/what-the-hell-happened-i-keep-replaying-everything-and-returning-to/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“One woman against two bloodsuckers. This I got to see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/one-woman-against-two-bloodsuckers-this-i-got-to-see/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“You can’t fight like this. You’re not prepared and you are in no means in control of your emotions.” Blood rushed to her head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/you-can-t-fight-like-this-you-re-not-prepared-and-you-are-in-no-means/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“I want to pick up a few other items at the house,” Jules said as Katie stepped around the car. “I still have my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/i-want-to-pick-up-a-few-other-items-at-the-house-jules-said-as-katie/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“I knew I was a little different from most demons but nothing says freak of nature like a one-eyed gypsy saying I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/i-knew-i-was-a-little-different-from-most-demons-but-nothing-says/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“There are details about your life I really do not want to know about. You told me he taught you how to fight with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/there-are-details-about-your-life-i-really-do-not-want-to-know-about/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) > [“One day you’re a college graduate, in love with Mr. Right and looking for a job. The next day, your Rambo.” “Your timeline is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-abshire/one-day-you-re-a-college-graduate-in-love-with-mr-right-and-looking/) [Mary Abshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) [Explore all 10 Mary Abshire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-abshire/) ## More Emotions quotes > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/on-stage-you-can-bring-all-those-strong-emotions-that-you-don-t-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) Marlin > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“When love carries us away on its brittle wings, we are too intoxicated to comprehend its power. We just want to soar and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balroop-singh/when-love-carries-us-away-on-its-brittle-wings-we-are-too-intoxicated/) [Balroop Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balroop-singh/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) Whitney Daugherty > [Love is an ocean of emotions entirely sorrounded by expensee..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-an-ocean-of-emotions-entirely-sorrounded-by-expensee/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 4,415 Emotions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Emotions are destructive, Ms. Dillinger. One of two things will happen to you. You will either be hurt and wish you were dead, or you will end up dead.” Katie stopped in front of the next cooler and checked inside. “I’m human. What am I supposed to do? 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