"There's good and bad in everybody. I wasn't looking for the good, or looking for the bad. This is a man who signed his pact with the devil 20 years ago, and he's learned to live with it. He's tried to protect his family from it"

Sam Mendes' quote explores the intricacy of human nature, highlighting the dichotomy of excellent and bad qualities that live within everybody. The idea that "there's excellent and bad in everybody" is an universal truth, recognizing that no individual is wholly virtuous or completely sinister. Instead of concentrating on the moral duality in people, Mendes explores a character driven by practical options made long ago.

The expression "I wasn't searching for the excellent, or trying to find the bad" recommends a narrative focus that goes beyond simple ethical classification. Instead of illustrating the character as an apotheosis of virtue or as an innate bad guy, Mendes represents an individual who runs within a more nuanced, maybe morally unclear structure. This approach shows a nuanced point of view that is more reflective of real life, where individuals typically act based upon varied and complex inspirations instead of a strict binary of excellent versus wicked.

"A male who signed his pact with the devil 20 years earlier" evokes the timeless Faustian deal-- a metaphor suggesting the character made a significant compromise or dishonest choice for personal gain. The "devil" signifies not simply the personification of wicked but a personification of individual desires and aspirations that may lead one astray. Over time, this choice ends up being an inextricable part of the man's identity.

The latter part of the quote, "he's learned to deal with it. He's tried to protect his household from it," speaks with the character's durability and approval of his past choices. Attempting to protect his household shows a redemptive quality or an acknowledgement of personal duty, showing that in spite of previous choices, there is a continued effort to do right by liked ones.

Ultimately, Mendes highlights the human condition-- filled with problematic choices, individual growth, and the pursuing redemption amidst the shadows of past actions. This point of view offers a richer, more understanding lens through which to view individuals who come to grips with their human imperfections.