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She was fifteen years old, going on thirty-five, Doc, and she told me she was eighteen, she was very willing, I practically had to take to sewing my pants shut. Between you and me, uh, she might have been fifteen, but when you get that little red beaver right up there in front of you, I don't think it's crazy at all and I don't think you do either. No man alive could resist that, and that's why I got into jail to begin with. And now they're telling me I'm crazy over here because I don't sit there like a goddamn vegetable. Don't make a bit of sense to me. If that's what's being crazy is, then I'm senseless, out of it, gone-down-the-road, wacko. But no more, no less, that's it.

Jack Nicholson#17

AttractionCrimeLawMoralityPsychologySanity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims an age mismatch did not stop attraction, blames jail on that attraction, and rejects the label of crazy for not sitting still.
In plain terms
He argues attraction was irresistible and that sitting still is not the test of sanity.
What can you take from it?
Attraction does not excuse actions.

Where it applies

  • court defense
  • personal justification
  • self reflection

Putting it to work

  • reflect on actions
  • accept consequences

Questions to consider

  • What defines sanity?
  • Can attraction justify harm?

Another view

The speaker shifts blame to others to avoid responsibility.

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