Believe Quote by Michael Cunningham
“I think of the people who commit these acts as children. They're in their 20s, but like certain children, they have been told only one story, over and over. Like most children, they believe in an easily identifiable good and evil, and like most children, they are capable of unthinkable cruelty.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author discussion, 2023
People raised with a single narrative become capable of extreme cruelty despite youthful innocence.
In simple terms: Single stories can breed cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Beware of one‑sided narratives.
Themes
narrative
innocence
cruelty
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
sociological
psychological
When to use this quote
- Childhood education
- media influence
- radicalization
- justice reform
Key Concepts
Social conditioning
moral development
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exposure to multiple perspectives prevent cruelty?
- What role does empathy play?
A Different Perspective
Not all children become cruel; other factors matter.
