Then may I ask you to swear by whatever gods or saints…
““Then may I ask you to swear by whatever gods or saints your religion involves that you will not reveal what I am now going to tell you to any son of Adam, and especially not to the police? Will you swear that! If you will take upon yourself this awful abnegation, if you will consent to burden your soul with a vow that you should never make and a knowledge you should never dream about, I will promise you in return—" "You will promise me in return?" inquired Syme, as the other paused. "I will promise you a very entertaining evening." Syme suddenly took off his hat. "Your offer," he said, "is far too idiotic to be declined. You say that a poet is always an anarchist. I disagree; but I hope at least that he is always a sportsman. Permit me, here and now, to swear as a Christian, and promise as a good comrade and a fellow-artist, that I will not report anything of this, whatever it is, to the police. And now, in the name of Colney Hatch, what is it?" "I think," said Gregory, with placid irrelevancy, "that we will call a cab.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character asks for a secret oath, highlighting the tension between trust, secrecy, and authority.
In simple terms: Someone demands a secret promise, testing loyalty versus law.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of secrecy before agreeing.
Themes
trust
secrecy
authority
loyalty
ethics
Mood
conflicted
tense
Type
philosophical
dramatic
When to use this quote
- political intrigue
- personal relationships
- legal dilemmas
Key Concepts
social contract
morality
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you sacrifice to keep a secret?
- Is secrecy ever justified?
A Different Perspective
The oath may be impossible to keep without harming others.