I know always that I am an outsider; a stranger in this century and among those who are still men.
There are horrors beyond life's edge that we do not suspect, and once in a while man's evil prying calls them just within our range.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the unknown horrors and evils that exist beyond our understanding and the human tendency to uncover them.
H. P. Lovecraft's quote delves into the unsettling idea that there are terrifying truths and evils in existence that are beyond our comprehension. It suggests that humanity, through its curiosity and desire to explore, sometimes inadvertently brings these dark realities into our awareness. This reflects a deeper philosophical contemplation on the nature of knowledge, the limits of human understanding, and the potential consequences of uncovering those truths.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the limits of human understanding, this quote illustrates the dangers of curiosity.
More from H. P. Lovecraft
All quotes →Searchers after horror haunt strange, far places.
The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination.
No new horror can be more terrible than the daily torture of the commonplace.
I am, indeed, an absolute materialist so far as actual belief goes; with not a shred of credence in any form of supernaturalism—religion, spiritualism, transcendentalism, metempsychosis, or immortality.
If I am mad, it is mercy! May the gods pity the man who in his callousness can remain sane to the hideous end!
Similar quotes
If anything had or could have a value equal to gold and silver, it would require no tender law; and if it had not that value it ought not to have such a law; and, therefore, all tender laws are tyrannical and unjust and calculated to support fraud and oppression.
I cannot find language of sufficient energy to convey my sense of the sacredness of private integrity.
My choices, including those related to the day-to-day aspects of life, like the use of a modest car, are related to a spiritual discernment that responds to a need that arises from looking at things, at people and from reading the signs of the times. Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing.
I seem to have run in a great circle, and met myself again on the starting line.
The more completely we give of ourselves, the more completely the world gives back to us.
The generosity of the Earth allows us to feed all mankind; we know enough about ecology to keep the Earth a healthy place; there is enough room on the Earth, and there are enough materials, so that everybody can have adequate shelter; we are quite competent enough to produce sufficient supplies of necessities so that no one need live in misery.