--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Pusher, Chapter 3, Part 13: The…" description: "\"“The Pusher, Chapter 3, Part 13: The gunslinger had known magicians, enchanters, and alchemists in his time. Some had been clever charlatans, some stup..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/stephen-king-13_the-dark-tower-expan_the-pusher-chapter-3-part-13-the-gunslin_1062283.jpg" --- # The Pusher, Chapter 3, Part 13: The gunslinger had known… ![“The Pusher, Chapter 3, Part 13: The gunslinger had known magicians, enchanters, and alchemists in his time. Some had been clever charlatans, some stupid fakes in whom only people more stupid than they were themselves could believe (but there had never been a shortage of fools in the world, so even…” quote by Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/stephen-king-13_the-dark-tower-expan_the-pusher-chapter-3-part-13-the-gunslin_1062283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/stephen-king-13_the-dark-tower-expan_the-pusher-chapter-3-part-13-the-gunslin_1062283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/stephen-king-13_the-dark-tower-expan_the-pusher-chapter-3-part-13-the-gunslin_1062283.jpg) > ““The Pusher, Chapter 3, Part 13: The gunslinger had known magicians, enchanters, and alchemists in his time. Some had been clever charlatans, some stupid fakes in whom only people more stupid than they were themselves could believe (but there had never been a shortage of fools in the world, so even the stupid fakes survived; in fact most actually thrived), and a small few actually able to do those black things of which men whisper—these few could call demons and the dead, could kill with a curse or heal with strange potions. One of these men had been a creature the gunslinger believed to be a demon himself, a creature that pretended to be a man and called itself Flagg. He had seen him only briefly, and that had been near the end, as chaos and the final crash approached his land. Hot on his heels had come two young men who looked desperate and yet grim, men named Dennis and Thomas. These three had crossed only a tiny part of what had been a confused and confusing time in the gunslinger's life, but he would never forget seeing Flagg change a man who had irritated him into a howling dog. He remembered that well enough. Then there had been the man in black.”” [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage illustrates a world where deception, magic, and power intertwine, highlighting the danger of false prophets and the influence of charismatic villains. **In simple terms:** Deception and power shape societies, often through charismatic figures. Key Takeaway Question the motives of charismatic leaders. Themes deception power mythology Mood cautious critical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political rallies - cult recruitment - media influence - personal relationships Key Concepts charisma illusion evil Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect societies from manipulative leaders? - How do you discern truth from illusion? A Different Perspective Charismatic figures can also inspire positive change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gunslinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gunslinger/) [Young men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-men/) ## Related quotes > [“One of these men had been a creature the gunslinger believed to be a demon himself, a creature that pretended to be a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/one-of-these-men-had-been-a-creature-the-gunslinger-believed-to-be-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“The presence of this extraordinary being caused, as it were, a breath of life to circulate throughout the entire cathedral. It seemed as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-presence-of-this-extraordinary-being-caused-as-it-were-a-breath/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [While Maddox now believed the demon did not want to hurt Ashlyn, he wasn't willing to take a chance. He would talk about flowers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/while-maddox-now-believed-the-demon-did-not-want-to-hurt-ashlyn-he/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [Once again there was the desert, and that only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/once-again-there-was-the-desert-and-that-only/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“A large praying mantis was performing ablutions on the springy stem of the kid's cowlick. 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"I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/do-you-believe-in-an-afterlife-the-gunslinger-asked-him-as-brown/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Misery suffered did not justify misery to come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/misery-suffered-did-not-justify-misery-to-come/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Jamie DeCurry had once proclaimed that Roland could shoot blindfolded, because he had eyes in his fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/jamie-decurry-had-once-proclaimed-that-roland-could-shoot-blindfolded/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The Tower. 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I'm going to send you up where the air is rare and the view is much more than fair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/climb-aboard-jonesy-i-m-going-to-send-you-up-where-the-air-is-rare/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) [Explore all 3,589 Stephen King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## More Gunslinger quotes > [“Fat Johnny reached down, and as he grasped the wallet, he farted loudly and screamed. 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Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-r-burch/) > [“The gunslinger said, "I used to think the most terrible thing would be to reach the Dark Tower and find the top room empty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-gunslinger-said-i-used-to-think-the-most-terrible-thing-would-be/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I know these days it sounds a little odd, but American governments are very fearful of European reaction. They were afraid we would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/i-know-these-days-it-sounds-a-little-odd-but-american-governments-are/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [“A few of the gunslingers dance, but only a few. And they were the young ones. 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