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THE WITCH. [dancing]. O I shall lose my wits, I fear, Do…

“THE WITCH. [dancing]. O I shall lose my wits, I fear, Do I, again, see Squire Satan here! MEPHISTOPHELES. Woman, the name offends my ear! THE WITCH. Why so? What has it done to you? MEPHISTOPHELES. It has long since to fable-books been banished; But men are none the better for it; true, The wicked…” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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““THE WITCH. [dancing]. O I shall lose my wits, I fear, Do I, again, see Squire Satan here! MEPHISTOPHELES. Woman, the name offends my ear! THE WITCH. Why so? What has it done to you? MEPHISTOPHELES. It has long since to fable-books been banished; But men are none the better for it; true, The wicked one, but not the wicked ones, has vanished.””

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The witch’s lament shows how superstition and fear can dominate the mind, leading to irrational thoughts and loss of reason.

In simple terms: Fear and superstition cloud judgment.

Key Takeaway

Question irrational fears.

Themes

fear superstition reason mental health

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • mental health counseling
  • education on critical thinking

Key Concepts

psychology mythology literature

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you recognize when fear is irrational?
  • What steps can you take to regain rational clarity?
A Different Perspective

Rational thought can be undermined by deep‑seated fears.

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