Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Every religion lies. Every moral precept is a delusion. Even the stars are a mirage. The truth is darkness, and the only thing that matters is making a statement before one enters it. Cutting the skin of the world and leaving a scar. That's all history is, after all: scar tissue.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that all beliefs and truths are constructed illusions, and that our actions leave a permanent mark on history.
In this provocative quote by Stephen King, the author presents a bleak view of reality, suggesting that religions and morals are mere fabrications of human thought. King implies that existence is filled with falsehoods, and the ultimate reality is an overwhelming darkness. The only purpose that remains is to make an impactful statement or contribution before disappearing into that darkness. This metaphorical 'scar' represents the marks we leave in history, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the significance of our actions in an otherwise meaningless existence.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing the nature of truth in a philosophy class.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
Similar quotes
What is it about childhood that never lets you go, even when you're so wrecked it's hard to believe you ever were a child?
Philosophy should always know that indifference is a militant thing. It batters down the walls of cities and murders the women and children amid the flames and the purloining of altar vessels. When it goes away it leaves smoking ruins, where lie citizens bayonetted through the throat. It is not a children's pastime like mere highway robbery.
Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.
We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings.
I will not call it my philosophy; for I did not make it. God and humanity made it; and it made me.
I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel.