Dogville (2003)

James Caan: The Big Man

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Quotes 

• The Big Man : Rapists and murders may be the victims according to you, but I, I call them dogs. And if they're lapping up their own vomit, the only way to stop them is with a lash.

  Grace : But dogs only obey their own nature, so why shouldn't we forgive them?

  The Big Man : Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature.

• Grace : So I'm arrogant? I'm arrogant because I forgive people.

  The Big Man : My God,can't you see how condescending you are when you say that? I mean you have-- you have this preconceived notion that nobody, listen-- that nobody can possibly attain the same high ethical standards as you, so you exonerate them. I cannot-- I cannot think of anything more arrogant than that.

• Grace : Why shouldn't I be merciful? Why?

  The Big Man : No, no, no, you should, you should be merciful when there's time to be merciful. But, you must maintain your own standards. You owe them that, you owe them that. The penalty you deserve for your transgression, they deserve for their transgressions.

  Grace : They're human beings, Dad.

  The Big Man : No, no, no, of course-- but does every human being need to be accountable for their actions? Of course they do, but you don't even give them that chance.