Caterpillars Quote by Thomas Harris
“It occurred to Dr. Lecter in the moment that with all his knowledge and intrusion, he could never entirely predict her, or own her at all. He could feed the caterpillar, he could whisper through the chrysalis; what hatched out followed its own nature and was beyond him. He wondered if she had the .45 on her leg beneath the gown. Clarice Starling smiled at him then, the cabochons caught the firelight and the monster was lost in self-congratulation at his own exquisite taste and cunning.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Hannibal, 1999
Even with deep knowledge, one cannot fully predict or control another person; some outcomes are beyond our influence.
In simple terms: You can’t fully control others.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty in relationships.
Themes
psychology
control
unpredictability
Mood
tense
intriguing
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- investigations
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
free will
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits your influence?
- How do you handle unexpected behavior?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on control may lead to paranoia.
![“[T]here is no consensus in the psychiatric community that Dr. Lecter should be termed a man. He has long been regarded by his professional peers in psychiatry, many of whom fear his acid pen in the professional journals, as something entirely Other. For convenience, they term him “monster”.” quote by Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37c/thomas-harris-1874_quote_t-here-is-no-consensus-in-the-psychiatri_27085.jpg)
