There are such beings as vampires, some of us have evidence that they exist. Even had we not the proof of our own unhappy experience, the teachings and the records of the past give proof enough for sane peoples.
It is the eve of St. George's Day. Do you not know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests a moment of reckoning when evil forces can be unleashed, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil.
This quote from Bram Stoker captures the tension between light and darkness, reflecting a belief in specific times when supernatural or evil influences are stronger than usual. The reference to St. George's Day, a time associated with the battle against dragons and evil, emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of confronting malevolence. It suggests that on this particular night, one must be vigilant as malice is more potent, encouraging introspection about the duality of existence and the perpetual fight against darkness.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the symbolism in literature during a book club.
More from Bram Stoker
All quotes βI stood beside Van Helsing, and said;- "Ah, well, poor girl, there is peace for her at last. It is the end!" He turned to me, and said with grave solemnity:- "Not so; alas! not so. It is only the beginning!
Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!
Do you believe in destiny? That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose? That the luckiest man who walks on this earth is the one who finds⦠true love?
But a stranger in a strange land, he is no one. Men know him not, and to know not is to care not for.
Oh, the terrible struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late; the pain of the sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and with such unknown horror as it has for me! How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.
Similar quotes
The truth of an upright man must be accepted on his own terms. Moreover, since natures vary, we must agree that all the beauties of human excellence may be fostered by faiths that we do not share.
Regarded zoologically, man is today an almost isolated figure in nature. In his cradle, he was less isolated.
I tell my children what I think myself: That religion is not necessarily convincing, but it is still interesting and not to be laughed at or denigrated.
Change of state is not the point; recognizing the Changeless is the point, recognizing primordial Emptiness is the point, and if you are breathing and vaguely awake, that state of consciousness will do just fine.
He had tenderness in his heart β βa soft place,β as Nicholas Higgins called it; but he had some pride in concealing it; he kept it very sacred and safe, and was jealous of every circumstance that tried to gain admission. But if he dreaded exposure of his tenderness, he was equally desirous that all men should recognize his justice; and he felt that he had been unjust, in giving so scornful a hearing to anyone who had waited, with humble patience, for five hours, to speak to him.
There are many in this old world of ours who hold that things break about even for all of us. I have observed, for example, that we all get the same amount of ice. The rich get it in the summertime and the poor get it in the winter.