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There's just some kind of men you have to shoot before you can say hidy to 'em. Even then, they ain't worth the bullet it takes to shoot 'em.
Harper Lee
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Some people may need to be confronted before one can acknowledge their presence, but they may not deserve the effort.

This quote reflects the idea that certain individuals are so troublesome or negative that confronting them is necessary before any form of recognition or engagement can occur. However, it suggests that even this confrontation may be pointless, as those individuals may not be worth the time and effort implied in dealing with them.

Themes

ConfrontationRecognitionEffortNegativity

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about toxic relationships, this quote illustrates the futility of engaging with certain people.

More from Harper Lee

They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
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It's better to be silent than to be a fool.
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Don’t talk like that, Dill,” said Aunt Alexandra. “It’s not becoming to a child. It’s – cynical.” “I ain’t cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin’ the truth’s not cynical, is it?” “The way you tell it, it is.
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With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.
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He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
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You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.
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