Quote by Terry Pratchett
Who knew what evil lurked in the hearts of men? A copper, that's who. (...)You saw how close men lived to the beast. You realized that people like Carcer were not mad. They were incredibily sane. They were simply men without a shield. They'd looked at the world and realized that all the rules didn't have to apply to them, not if they didn't want them to. They weren't fooled by all the little stories. They shook hands with the beast.
Summary
This quote reflects the perspective of a copper, who possesses a deep understanding of the darkness that resides within individuals. It suggests that those who commit acts of evil, like Carcer, are not insane but rather acutely aware and unrestrained in their pursuit of personal desires. They have pierced through societal norms and conventions, recognizing that they are not bound by them. The reference to shaking hands with the beast implies a metaphorical interaction with the darker aspects of human nature, illustrating the capacity for individuals to willingly embrace and engage in immoral behavior.