--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That if desperate times call for…" description: "\"That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.\" — Suzanne Collins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg" --- # That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then… ![“That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.” quote by Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg) > “That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.” [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When situations are dire, one may justify extreme actions, embracing desperation as a permissible strategy. **In simple terms:** Desperate times allow desperate actions. Key Takeaway Accept that extreme measures may be necessary. Themes ethics survival desperation decisionmaking Mood tense reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - war zones - personal crises - political upheaval - emergency response Key Concepts Moral relativism risk assessment agency Questions to Reflect On - When is desperation justified? - What are the long‑term costs of acting desperately? A Different Perspective Such actions can erode moral standards and cause unintended harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desperate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperate/) [Desperate measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperate-measures/) [Desperate times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperate-times/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“Desperate times call for desperate measures. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-beck/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-i/) [Jamie Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-beck/) > [“desperate times call for desperate measures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-ramsay-of-marianas-trench/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures/) [Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-ramsay-of-marianas-trench/) > [Desperate times call for desperate measures. That's a saying, or a bit of advice, or a catchprase, or a string of words used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obert-skye/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-that-s-a-saying-or-a-bit/) [Obert Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obert-skye/) > [“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” “I don’t care how desperate you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-bode/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-i-don-t-care-how/) [Maya Bode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-bode/) > [Grace, desperate times call for desperate measures. It's time to get your head out of the dumps and your legs in the air!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/grace-desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-it-s-time-to-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Desperate times call for desperate analogies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-diamond/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-analogies/) [John Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-diamond/) > [Desperate times require desperate measures. What Lincoln and the Lobbyist for the Amendment and the Manager of the Amendment and himself, what they did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/desperate-times-require-desperate-measures-what-lincoln-and-the/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Desperate times breed desperate measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/desperate-times-breed-desperate-measures/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I could have lied. I could have fought. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so I took a chance and called upon a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-could-have-lied-i-could-have-fought-but-desperate-times-call-for/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [Your desperate measures indicate desperate times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-minagar/your-desperate-measures-indicate-desperate-times/) [Melody Minagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-minagar/) > [Desperate times call for desperate measures" is an aphorism which here means "sometimes you need to change your facial expression in order to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-is-an-aphorism-which-here/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I did a film in which Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton both played the leads, 'Desperate Measures,' and interestingly enough it was their biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-did-a-film-in-which-andy-garcia-and-michael-keaton-both-played-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [“Desperate times call for hopeful measures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-doiron/desperate-times-call-for-hopeful-measures/) [Paul Doiron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-doiron/) > [Our idea of what constitutes social good has advanced with the procession of the ages, from those desperate times when just to keep body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-perkins/our-idea-of-what-constitutes-social-good-has-advanced-with-the/) [Frances Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-perkins/) > [I just wanted to make sure that yes, that those horror - they worked as a genre. To me, I just wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-farmiga/i-just-wanted-to-make-sure-that-yes-that-those-horror-they-worked-as/) [Vera Farmiga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-farmiga/) ## More by Suzanne Collins > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-same-goes-for-the-other-captured-tributes-johanna-and-enobaria/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-never-lets-go-of-annie-s-hand-not-when-they-walk-not-when-they-eat/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to interrupt the taping and beg Finnick’s forgiveness for every false thought I’ve ever had about him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-want-to-interrupt-the-taping-and-beg-finnick-s-forgiveness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I pound on the glass, screaming my head off. Everyone ignores me except for some Capitol attendant who appears behind me and offers me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-pound-on-the-glass-screaming-my-head-off-everyone-ignores-me-except/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/because-it-doesn-t-matter-anymore-and-because-i-m-so-desperately/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Then I dive into my tent before I do something stupid like cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/then-i-dive-into-my-tent-before-i-do-something-stupid-like-cry/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“¡Es que no quiero que me conozcan! ¡Ya me están quitando el futuro! ¡No pueden llevarse también lo que me importaba en el pasado!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/es-que-no-quiero-que-me-conozcan-ya-me-est-n-quitando-el-futuro-no/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-act-delighted-but-i-have-zero-interest-in-these-capitol-people-they/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-punishing-him-over-and-over-for-things-that-are-out-of-his/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, wheras in the Capitol,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/but-the-significant-difference-between-thirteen-and-the-capitol-are/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More Desperate quotes > [Marriage is a desperate thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/marriage-is-a-desperate-thing/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [“I am a desperate romantic. I love the idea of random collisions of the heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-thompson/i-am-a-desperate-romantic-i-love-the-idea-of-random-collisions-of-the/) [Jessica Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-thompson/) > [Worship isn't destructive, Martin. I know that. I don't. I only know it's the core of his life. What else has he got? He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/worship-isn-t-destructive-martin-i-know-that-i-don-t-i-only-know-it-s/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [“Really? I'm trying to place you. It seems like we've met before." Did I just issue him a pick up line? Fantastic, I've now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/really-i-m-trying-to-place-you-it-seems-like-we-ve-met-before-did-i/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [Never be desperate. Get rid of your insecurities. Know your worth. Believe in yourself and go get what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-desperate-get-rid-of-your-insecurities-know-your-worth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She was stupid and lonely. So desperate to be touched and loved with a good love. I need you, don't leave me, you're all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian-bane/she-was-stupid-and-lonely-so-desperate-to-be-touched-and-loved-with-a/) [Lucian Bane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian-bane/) > [You mostly know that you want to be funny, know that you have the desire. It's not like people who grow up beautiful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-mostly-know-that-you-want-to-be-funny-know-that-you-have-the/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [I had to smile when stories emerged questioning whether I was gay. Obviously I knew I wasn't but people were curiously desperate to suggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-had-to-smile-when-stories-emerged-questioning-whether-i-was-gay/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [The World Health Organisation has a lot of its medical experts sitting in Geneva while hospitals in Africa have no drugs and desperate patients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-hanson/the-world-health-organisation-has-a-lot-of-its-medical-experts/) [Pauline Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-hanson/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [I know it's a film and all of that, and it's a Hollywood film, but it kind of feels like this sometimes, when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-marber/i-know-it-s-a-film-and-all-of-that-and-it-s-a-hollywood-film-but-it/) [Patrick Marber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-marber/) > [“you think I"m that desperate?" "The raging hard-on jabbing at me says yes." ~Creed/Annika”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-croft/you-think-i-m-that-desperate-the-raging-hard-on-jabbing-at-me-says/) [Sydney Croft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-croft/) > [Along with a livable wage, many parents are desperate for quality affordable child care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/along-with-a-livable-wage-many-parents-are-desperate-for-quality/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [As a player, if a club is desperate to sign you, then you can benefit from that. Desperate clubs are prepared to pay more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-forlan/as-a-player-if-a-club-is-desperate-to-sign-you-then-you-can-benefit/) [Diego Forlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-forlan/) [Browse all 1,618 Desperate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Suzanne Collins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/that-if-desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-then-i-m-free-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Desperate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/that-if-desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-then-i-m-free-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/suzanne-collins-60_desperate_that-if-desperate-times-call-for-despera_1432040.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.” — Suzanne Collins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Suzanne Collins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That if desperate times call for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/that-if-desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-then-i-m-free-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/that-if-desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures-then-i-m-free-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```