just like a murderer jumps of nowhere in an ally, love jumped out in front of us and struck us both at once
Mikhail BulgakovRead
But would you kindly ponder this question: What would your good do if evil didn't exist, and what would the earth look like if all the shadows disappeared? After all, shadows are cast by things and people. Here is the shadow of my sword. But shadows also come from trees and living beings. Do you want to strip the earth of all trees and living things just because of your fantasy of enjoying naked light? You're stupid.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote challenges the idea of a world devoid of evil, emphasizing the importance of contrast in understanding good.
Mikhail Bulgakov's quote invites contemplation on the duality of existence, suggesting that good and evil are interconnected and that the presence of shadows, both literal and metaphorical, is essential for appreciating light and goodness. By questioning the desire to eliminate all shadows, Bulgakov underscores the folly of seeking a perfect world devoid of challenges or darkness, as it is through contrast that one understands the value of life, nature, and morality.
Themes
GoodEvilShadowsLightNatureContrast
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a philosophical debate about morality.
More from Mikhail Bulgakov
All quotes →The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You're asked an unexpected question, you don't even flinch, it takes just a second to get yourself under control, you know just what you have to say to hide the truth, and you speak very convincingly, and nothing in your face twitches to give you away. But the truth, alas, has been disturbed by the question, and it rises up from the depths of your soul to flicker in your eyes and all is lost.
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Well, as everyone knows, once witchcraft gets started, there's no stopping it.
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The tongue may hide the truth but the eyes—never!
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