Killed Quote by Primo Levi
““One of them declared: 'Doing this work, one either goes crazy the first day or gets accustomed to it.' Another, though: 'Certainly I could have killed myself or got myself killed; but I wanted to survive, to avenge myself and bear witness. You mustn't think that we are monsters; we are the same as you, only much more unhappy.””
About This Quote
Source Memoir: “The Drowned and the Saved” by Primo Levi, 1986
Survival amid horror forces a paradox: becoming both victim and witness, yet retaining humanity.
In simple terms: Surviving atrocity leaves deep unhappiness.
Key Takeaway
Hold onto humanity despite suffering.
Themes
survival
humanity
trauma
Mood
grave
hopeful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- war zones
- genocide remembrance
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance survival with moral integrity?
- What does bearing witness mean for you?
A Different Perspective
Survivors may be judged as monsters.
