Abstract Quote by Sergei Lukyanenko
“There is no abstract Evil; you have to understand that! Its roots are here, all around us, in this herd that goes on chewing and having a good time only an hour after a murder! That's what you have to fight for. For people. Evil is a hydra with many heads, and the more of them you cut off, the more it grows! Hydras have to be starved to death, do you understand that? Kill a hundred Dark Ones, and a thousand more will take their place.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Night Watch, Sergei Lukyanenko, 1998
Evil is pervasive and multiplies when attacked; it must be starved rather than merely cut off.
In simple terms: Evil spreads when fought directly; starve it.
Key Takeaway
Address systemic causes, not just symptoms.
Themes
evil
society
resistance
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- community building
- education reform
- policy change
Key Concepts
hydra metaphor
systemic oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reduce evil without creating new threats?
- What systemic factors sustain evil?
A Different Perspective
Evil may also arise from unintended consequences of interventions.
