---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And just when you’d think [humans] were…"
description: "\"“And just when you’d think [humans] were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they occasionally showed more grace than Heaven ever dreamed of.”\" — n..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg"
---

#  And just when you’d think \[humans\] were more malignant…

![“And just when you’d think &#91;humans&#93; were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they occasionally showed more grace than Heaven ever dreamed of.” quote by neil gaiman, terry pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg)

> ““And just when you’d think \[humans\] were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they occasionally showed more grace than Heaven ever dreamed of.””

[neil gaiman, terry pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/)

## About This Quote

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

Even in darkness, humanity can display unexpected kindness surpassing divine expectations.

**In simple terms:** Humans can be surprisingly kind.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and nurture grace in others.

Themes

humanity kindness hope contradiction

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

- crisis
- conflict
- daily interactions
- community building

Key Concepts

theology moral philosophy optimism

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you witnessed unexpected kindness?
- What limits our capacity for grace?

A Different Perspective

Kindness may be rare and fleeting; not all situations allow grace.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Grace Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace-heaven-1888536/) [Hell Occasionally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell-occasionally-2798715/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humans Malignant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans-malignant-5215778/) [Malignant Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malignant-hell-2798714/) [Showed Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/showed-grace-5215779/)

## Related quotes

> [“And just when you'd think they were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they could occasionally show more grace than Heaven ever dreamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/and-just-when-you-d-think-they-were-more-malignant-than-ever-hell/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [“Never pity missionaries; envy them. They are where the real action is -- where life and death, sin and grace, Heaven and Hell converge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-c-shannon/never-pity-missionaries-envy-them-they-are-where-the-real-action-is/)

[Robert C. Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-c-shannon/)

> [“We should look for the light, the good, the grace of Heaven wherever it might be, even admist the filth we are so quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunshine-somerville/we-should-look-for-the-light-the-good-the-grace-of-heaven-wherever-it/)

[Sunshine Somerville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunshine-somerville/)

> [“You, Grace, you're my heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-zolendz/you-grace-you-re-my-heaven/)

[Christine Zolendz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-zolendz/)

> [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/)

[Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/)

> [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/)

[Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/)

> [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“Once the switch of parenthood is thrown, it changes you for ever &amp; you can never escape the extra pull of humanity it gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hammond/once-the-switch-of-parenthood-is-thrown-it-changes-you-for-ever-you/)

[Richard hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hammond/)

> [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [“Is it necessary to recall that the earth is not infinite, and that our civilization is close to having invaded all of it? The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-tarde/is-it-necessary-to-recall-that-the-earth-is-not-infinite-and-that-our/)

[Gabriel Tarde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-tarde/)

> [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/)

[Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/)

> [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by neil gaiman, terry pratchett

> [“That Hieronymus Bosch. What a weirdo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/that-hieronymus-bosch-what-a-weirdo/)

[Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/)

> [“If you stopped tellin' people it's all sorted out after they're dead, they might try sorting it all out while they're alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/if-you-stopped-tellin-people-it-s-all-sorted-out-after-they-re-dead/)

[Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/)

[Explore all 3 neil gaiman, terry pratchett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/)

## More Evil quotes

> [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/)

[Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/)

> [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/)

[John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/)

> [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/)

[William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/)

> [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/)

[Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/)

> [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/)

[Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/)

> [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/)

[Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/)

> [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/)

[James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/)

> [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/)

[Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/)

> [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/)

[M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/)

> [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/)

[Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/)

[Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“And just when you’d think [humans] were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they occasionally showed more grace than Heaven ever dreamed of.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "neil gaiman, terry pratchett"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-more-malignant-than-ever-hell/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Evil"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-more-malignant-than-ever-hell/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2_evil_and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-mo_1450643.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“And just when you’d think [humans] were more malignant than ever Hell could be, they occasionally showed…” — neil gaiman, terry pratchett",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "neil gaiman, terry pratchett",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“And just when you’d think [humans]...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-more-malignant-than-ever-hell/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman-terry-pratchett-2/and-just-when-you-d-think-humans-were-more-malignant-than-ever-hell/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
