---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a time when I liked a good…"
description: "\"There was a time when I liked a good riot. Put on some heavy old street clothes that could stand a bit of sidewalk-scraping, infect myself with somethi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/warren-ellis-2541_clothes_there-was-a-time-when-i-liked-a-good-rio_2692586.png"
---

#  There was a time when I liked a good riot. Put on some…

![“There was a time when I liked a good riot. Put on some heavy old street clothes that could stand a bit of sidewalk-scraping, infect myself with something good and contagious, then go out and stamp on some cops. It was great, being nine years old.” quote by Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/warren-ellis-2541_clothes_there-was-a-time-when-i-liked-a-good-rio_2692586.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/warren-ellis-2541_clothes_there-was-a-time-when-i-liked-a-good-rio_2692586.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/warren-ellis-2541_clothes_there-was-a-time-when-i-liked-a-good-rio_2692586.png)

> “There was a time when I liked a good riot. Put on some heavy old street clothes that could stand a bit of sidewalk-scraping, infect myself with something good and contagious, then go out and stamp on some cops. It was great, being nine years old.”

[Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-ellis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He recalls youthful rebellion, using violent protest as a way to feel empowered and rebellious.

**In simple terms:** Childhood rebellion expressed through violent acts.

Key Takeaway

Channel youthful energy into constructive outlets.

Themes

rebellion violence nostalgia identity

Mood

reflective critical

Type

personal social

When to use this quote

- schoolyard conflicts
- political protests
- personal growth
- community service

Key Concepts

youth culture social unrest psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What non‑violent ways can teens express dissent?
- How does nostalgia shape our view of past actions?

A Different Perspective

Violent actions can cause lasting harm and legal consequences.

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