Arrow Struck Quote by Stephen Deas
““The first arrow struck Semian in the leg, just above the knee. Semian howled, staggered and fell back into the water. The second arrow struck one of the other riders in the back. The third arrow hit the wounded dragon in the neck, which only made it hiss and snap. Kemir didn't stop to fire a fourth; instead he jogged a little deeper into the forest and then turned and followed the path of the river. The knights wouldn't follow him into the trees, he was quite sure of that, and the dragons would never find him in the dark. Not killing Rider Semian, he discovered, was immensely satisfying. Killing him was something he could do only once. He smiled to himself.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Dragon's Path by Stephen Deas, 2015
A hunter strategically avoids killing a wounded foe, finding more satisfaction in letting the enemy survive than in a single kill.
In simple terms: Choosing restraint can be more rewarding than a quick victory.
Key Takeaway
Consider restraint over immediate triumph.
Themes
strategy
restraint
conflict
satisfaction
morality
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- hunting
- military engagements
- personal dilemmas
- ethical decisions
Key Concepts
ethical choice
psychology of combat
survival tactics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does restraint teach us about power?
- When is letting go more humane than ending?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the moral cost of allowing suffering to continue.
![“His [Elijah] heart was beginning to give signs of alarm; he was enjoying being at this woman's side. Love could be a more frightening experience than standing before Ahab's soldier with an arrow aimed at his heart; if the arrow had struck him, he would be dead -and the rest was up to God. But if…” quote by Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b1b/paulo-coelho-10_ahab_his-elijah-heart-was-beginning-to-give-s_844521.jpg)
