He was wild the way a mistreated dog becomes wild, not because it loves freedom, but because it has lost trust.

Summary

This quote creates a parallel between a mistreated dog and a person who has experienced betrayal, disappointment, or abuse. The comparison illustrates that the person's wild behavior or untamed nature is born out of a sense of mistrust rather than a genuine love for freedom. It suggests that just as a mistreated dog becomes cautious and untrusting, the person, too, has learned to be guarded and hesitant in their actions due to past negative experiences.

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