“Evil is not something superhuman, it’s something less than human.”
- September 15, 1890 – January 12, 1976
- British
- Author
- The detective novel series (such as “And Then There Were None”) featuring the fictional detectives “Hercule Poirot” and “Miss Marple” became a worldwide hit.
Quote
“Evil is not something superhuman, it’s something less than human.”
Explanation
In this quote, Agatha Christie emphasizes that evil is not an extraordinary, otherworldly force, but rather a deviation from basic humanity. She suggests that evil does not arise from something above human nature, but from a lack of empathy, morality, or the failure to live up to human ideals. Christie’s insight into evil reflects her belief that it often arises from more mundane, even banal causes, such as selfishness, greed, or apathy, rather than from something supernatural or monstrous. In this view, evil is not a force to be feared because it is too powerful, but because it is born from the darkest corners of human character, within everyone.
This concept of evil was central to many of Christie’s works, where ordinary people often become involved in heinous acts, driven by self-interest, jealousy, or hidden motives. In novels like And Then There Were None or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, the perpetrators of crimes are not evil geniuses, but flawed individuals who act out of weakness or desperation. Christie often portrayed evil as a more human failing, not some external force, but a product of individual choices or circumstances. In her detective stories, it is often the small, hidden actions—seemingly insignificant—that lead to the uncovering of evil.
In modern times, this quote remains relevant as we continue to explore the nature of evil in both individual and societal contexts. In contemporary psychology and criminology, evil is often understood not as a result of insanity or superhuman malevolence, but as a result of extreme sociopathy, manipulation, or the lack of moral compass. Real-world examples, such as acts of corruption or violence, show that evil often comes from ordinary people who make harmful choices, driven by greed or anger. Christie’s insight into evil as a human failure, rather than a supernatural force, reminds us that we all have the capacity for both good and bad, and that evil often emerges when we stray from our humanity.
