There is a dark side in all of us. And for us 'bad' people, the bad side dominates. I think there is a great sadness in villains, and I have tried to put that across. We cannot stop ourselves doing what we are doing.
Christopher LeeRead
I've seen many men die right in front of me - so many in fact that I've become almost hardened to it. Having seen the worst that human beings can do to each other, the results of torture, mutilation and seeing someone blown to pieces by a bomb, you develop a kind of shell. But you had to. You had to. Otherwise, we would never have won.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the necessity of resilience and emotional fortitude in the face of extreme human suffering and violence.
Christopher Lee's quote speaks to the psychological impact of witnessing significant trauma and violence. It suggests that repeated exposure to the harsh realities of human conflict can lead individuals to build emotional defenses, or a 'shell,' as a means of survival. This hardened exterior, while necessary to cope with such despair, also underscores the profound sacrifices made in the name of victory and perseverance in challenging situations. Lee implies that without developing this resilience, victories in the face of adversity may not have been achievable.
Themes
ResilienceSufferingVictoryHumanityTrauma
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about overcoming adversity during a charity event.
More from Christopher Lee
All quotes βBefore 'Lord of the Rings,' some people would have just classed Peter Jackson as a horror director. But there is a mind there.
Christopher LeeRead
The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.
Christopher LeeRead
Every actor has to make terrible films from time to time, but the trick is never to be terrible in them.
Christopher LeeRead
I don't play long parts. They must be short parts, but they've got to be parts that mean something, that matter, where people will notice when I'm on the screen, and people will remember the character after they've seen the film.
Christopher LeeRead
I think acting is a mixture of instinct, imagination and inventiveness. All you can learn as an actor is basic technique.
Christopher LeeRead
Similar quotes
Engage in combat fully determined to die and you will be alive; wish to survive in the battle and you will surely meet death.
Uesugi KenshinRead
I died upon that mountain. There is no question. A part of me will forever be upon that mountain. Dead. That's my brothers died. If there's a part of me that live, because of my brothers. Because of them I am still alive, and I can never forget, that no matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall. You are never out of the fight.
Marcus LuttrellRead
Everyone recognizes that Stephen was Spirit-filled when he was performing wonders. Yet, he was just as Spirit-filled when he was being stoned to death.
Leonard RavenhillRead
They are deceived who flatter themselves that the ignorant and debased slave has no conception of the magnitude of his wrongs. They are deceived who imagine that he arises from his knees with back lacerated and bleeding, cherishing only a spirit of meekness and forgiveness. A day may come - it will, if his prayer is heard. A terrible day of vengeance when the master in his turn will cry in vain for mercy.
Solomon NorthupRead
The period of debate is closed. Arms, as a last resource, must decide the contest.
Thomas PaineRead
We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear.
Jim RohnRead