We lead two lives, and the half of our soul is madness, and half heaven is lit by a black sun. I say I am a man, is the other that hides in me?
Arthur MachenRead
And there were other rocks that were like animals, creeping, horrible animals, putting out their tongues, and others were like words I could not say, and others like dead people lying on the grass. I went on among them, though they frightened me, and my heart was full of wicked song they put into it; and I wanted to make faces and twist myself about the way they did, and I went on and on a long way till at last I liked the rocks and they didn’t frighten me any more
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the transformative power of facing one's fears and embracing the unknown.
In this quote, Arthur Machen describes a journey through a landscape filled with frightening elements that initially evoke fear and confusion. As the narrator ventures deeper, they begin to appreciate the beauty and complexity of their surroundings, ultimately discovering a sense of acceptance and enjoyment. This transformation signifies how confronting our fears can lead to personal growth and a greater understanding of the world around us.
Themes
FearTransformationAcceptanceGrowthNature
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about overcoming fears.
More from Arthur Machen
All quotes →It was better, he thought, to fail in attempting exquisite things than to succeed in the department of the utterly contemptible.
Arthur MachenRead
Every branch of human knowledge, if traced up to its source and final principles, vanishes into mystery.
Arthur MachenRead
There are sacraments of evil as well as of good about us, and we live and move to my belief in an unknown world, a place where there are caves and shadows and dwellers in twilight. It is possible that man may sometimes return on the track of evolution, and it is my belief that an awful lore is not yet dead.
Arthur MachenRead
Similar quotes
Stars, too, were time travelers. How many of these ancient points of light were the last echoes of suns now dead? How many had been born but their light not yet come this far? If all the suns but ours collapsed tonight, how many lifetimes would it take us to realize that we were alone? I had always known the sky was full of mysteries - but not until now had I realized how full of them the earth was.
Ransom RiggsRead
Perhaps he had to be close in order to keep a reason for the things he did. To make the things he did be themselves Life. And not merely a delightful exercise of technical skill which man had been able to achieve because he, of all the animals, had a fine thumb. Which is nonsense, for whatever you live is Life.
Robert Penn WarrenRead
fanaticism is the only way to put an end to the doubts that constantly trouble the human soul.
Paulo CoelhoRead
The teachings of Christianity - from vicarious redemption to the love of enemies, no thought for the morrow need be taken, that no thrift or care or family or society or solidarity is necessary - these are immoral teachings that have done and continue to inflict untold moral and physical harm on our species. And until we outgrow this nonsense, we have no chance of emancipating ourselves.
Christopher HitchensRead
Over the years, I realized there was a Republican philosophy that I liked. And then they lost it. And LIBERTARIANS had more of it. Because what I really believe is, let's spend a little more time leaving everybody alone.
Clint EastwoodRead
We become aware of the void as we fill it.
Antonio PorchiaRead