In our struggle to restrain the violence and contain the damage, we tend to forget that the human capacity for aggression is more than a monstrous defect, that it is also a crucial survival tool.

—Katherine Dunn

survival violence damage

About Katherine Dunn

Katherine Karen Dunn (October 24, 1945 – May 11, 2016) was an American novelist, journalist, voice artist, radio personality, book reviewer, and poet from Portland, Oregon. She is best known for her novel Geek Love (1989). She was also a prolific writer on boxing.

More quotations tagged with “violence”

I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.

—Groucho Marx

humor violence anger brutality

Soft is stronger than hard, water stronger than rock, love stronger than violence.

—Hermann Hesse

love strength violence water softness hardness

When we are violent to our enemies, we do violence to ourselves. When we brutalize others, we brutalize ourselves. And eventually we run the risk of becoming our oppressors.

—Arundhati Roy

enemies violence brutality

I believe every act of violence is also a message that needs to be understood. Violence should not be answered just by greater violence but by real understanding. We must ask: "Where is the violence coming from? What is its meaning?

violence source message

You're immature. You've been unable to adjust to the idea of war."
"Yes, sir."
"You have a morbid aversion to dying. You probably resent the fact that you're at war and might get your head blown off any second."
"I more than resent it, sir. I'm absolutely incensed."
"… Misery depresses you. Ignorance depresses you. Persecution depresses you. Violence depresses you.… You know, it wouldn't surprise me if you're a manic depressive!

—Joseph Heller

war ignorance maturity death misery violence surprise

History

23 Nov 2013 Added