--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to be your own master…" description: "\"If you want to be your own master ... always be surprised by evil; never anticipate it.\" — Mary McCarthy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/mary-mccarthy-2691_anticipate_if-you-want-to-be-your-own-master-always_808945.png" --- # If you want to be your own master ... always be surprised… ![“If you want to be your own master ... always be surprised by evil; never anticipate it.” quote by Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/mary-mccarthy-2691_anticipate_if-you-want-to-be-your-own-master-always_808945.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/mary-mccarthy-2691_anticipate_if-you-want-to-be-your-own-master-always_808945.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/mary-mccarthy-2691_anticipate_if-you-want-to-be-your-own-master-always_808945.png) > “If you want to be your own master ... always be surprised by evil; never anticipate it.” [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Evil is unpredictable; expecting it prevents true vigilance. **In simple terms:** Evil is unexpected; stay alert. Key Takeaway Remain vigilant, avoid complacency. Themes ethics uncertainty human nature psychology Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - personal safety - security planning - ethical decision making Key Concepts risk perception moral philosophy surprise factor Questions to Reflect On - How to balance vigilance with trust? - What signs indicate hidden threats? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on surprise may cause paranoia. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ## Related quotes > [I want to get a master's degree in... psychology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-beer/i-want-to-get-a-master-s-degree-in-psychology/) [Madison Beer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-beer/) > [I want to master life and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-bundy/i-want-to-master-life-and-death/) [Ted Bundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-bundy/) > [All the other stuff without love? Not worth a whole lot. Love starts with ourselves and needs to be approached like anything else we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-johnson/all-the-other-stuff-without-love-not-worth-a-whole-lot-love-starts/) [Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-johnson/) > [“I want to give myself to you, Master; I have given myself to you." 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