First place Quote by Scott Lynch
““I’m only doing this,” he said, “because I really love hiding in haunted Eldren buildings on dark and creepy nights.” “You’re a liar,” said Jean, slowly. “I’m only doing this because I’ve always wanted to see Bug get eaten by an Eldren ghost.” “Liar,” said Calo. “I’m only doing this because I fucking love hauling half a ton of bloody coins up out of a vault and packing them away on a cart.” “Liar!” Galdo chuckled. “I’m only doing this because while you’re all busy elsewhere, I’m going to go pawn all the furniture in the burrow at No-Hope Harza’s.” “You’re all liars,” said Locke as their eyes turned expectantly to him. “We’re only doing this because nobody else in Camorr is good enough to pull this off, and nobody else is dumb enough to get stuck doing it in the first place.” “Bastard!” They shouted in unison, forgetting their surroundings for a bare moment.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lies of Locke Lamora, 2006
Characters justify dangerous deeds by claiming personal motives, revealing self‑deception and group dynamics in high‑risk schemes.
In simple terms: People claim selfish reasons for risky actions, masking true motives.
Key Takeaway
Question hidden motives behind bold actions.
Themes
deception
motivation
group dynamics
risk
loyalty
Mood
tense
dramatic
dark
Type
literary
dialogue
character
When to use this quote
- heist planning
- dangerous missions
- team coordination
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
self‑justification
groupthink
identity
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to take reckless risks?
- How do group narratives shape individual choices?
A Different Perspective
Motives may be more complex than stated, leading to mistrust.
