John Dillinger: Bank Robber Happy
on Tuesday, June 22, 2021John Dillinger Money Quote saying it was a lifelong dream to rob banks and be a bad guy. Achieving that goal made him a happy man. John Dillinger said:
“All my life I wanted to be a bank robber. Carry a gun and wear a mask. Now that it’s happened I guess I’m just about the best bank robber they ever had. And I sure am happy” — John Dillinger
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In this quote, John Dillinger is reflecting on his career as a notorious bank robber during the Great Depression era. While his actions were clearly illegal and harmful, the quote suggests he found a sense of fulfillment and happiness in living outside the law and being successful at his criminal endeavors, which had been a childhood fantasy or ambition of his.
The best interpretation is that Dillinger is acknowledging he achieved a long-held personal goal and identity, even if it was through morally questionable means of bank robbery.
Ultimately it serves as a reminder that happiness can stem from within through pursuing one’s passions, but external validation and an ethical foundation are also important for a life well lived and meaning that withstands scrutiny.
Birthday: June 22, 1903 – Death: July 22, 1934