--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Like so many before them, they didn't…" description: "\"Like so many before them, they didn't care that my dad was only the messenger. They still wanted to shoot him.\" — Sarah Dessen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/sarah-dessen-110_care_like-so-many-before-them-they-didn-t-car_1058383.png" --- # Like so many before them, they didn't care that my dad was… ![“Like so many before them, they didn't care that my dad was only the messenger. They still wanted to shoot him.” quote by Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/sarah-dessen-110_care_like-so-many-before-them-they-didn-t-car_1058383.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/sarah-dessen-110_care_like-so-many-before-them-they-didn-t-car_1058383.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/sarah-dessen-110_care_like-so-many-before-them-they-didn-t-car_1058383.png) > “Like so many before them, they didn't care that my dad was only the messenger. They still wanted to shoot him.” [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Violence targets not just the intended victim but also those close to them, showing collateral harm. **In simple terms:** Violence harms bystanders too. Key Takeaway Protect and support those near conflict. Themes violence family justice Mood somber concerned Type narrative reflective When to use this quote - family counseling - conflict resolution - community safety Key Concepts ethics social impact Questions to Reflect On - How can we intervene early? - What support helps victims cope? A Different Perspective Violence may be rationalized by perpetrators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Messengers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messengers/) ## Related quotes > [“You’re going to shoot the messenger?” “Yeah, Dad, if the messenger can’t learn to keep his interfering ass out of my business.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-re-going-to-shoot-the-messenger-yeah-dad-if-the-messenger-can-t/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I know it was harder for me taking care of my dad during his cancer than it was going through my own. You feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-sterling/i-know-it-was-harder-for-me-taking-care-of-my-dad-during-his-cancer/) Mindy Sterling > [I'm going to take care of the man I'm with. 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