In "The Crossing," Cormac McCarthy explores the nature of evil and society's reaction to it. The quote highlights a disturbing truth: those who commit atrocious acts often rely on the sheer horror of their deeds to silence opposition. The idea is that when faced with truly horrific actions, people may feel overwhelmed and choose to remain silent rather than confront the discomfort of such evil.

Conversely, the quote suggests that society is more willing to address smaller, more manageable evils. This tendency reflects a psychological self-preservation, where individuals can only confront what they can handle. McCarthy’s insights provoke reflection on the moral complexities surrounding human behavior and the often muted responses to significant wrongs compared to minor injustices.