Final answer:
The quote is from the character Dr. Kirby in the novel 'The Octopus: A Story of California', where he expresses the belief that every person has some redeeming quality and that understanding their desires and motivations can help us see their worth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote, "No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one's life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins," is from the character Dr. Kirby in the novel "The Octopus: A Story of California". In the novel, Dr. Kirby expresses the belief that every person has some redeeming quality and that understanding their desires and motivations can help us see their worth. This quote highlights the complexity of human nature and challenges the notion of labeling individuals as inherently evil or worthless.