She saw that the world was evil and yet craved for…
““She saw that the world was evil and yet craved for happines in it, which she thought to get by being evil herself. And she had no more happiness than I have had -- who chose the other way. There was something that was the same in each of us: we were alike in that we hated the world, and yet saw that it could not have been otherwise. And we both tried to love in spite of this hate: perhaps she was more successful than I. Therefore do not talk lightly of a new start. Evil as the old things were, they were all that we had. And if you feel that they are gone now, be sorrowful -- for it will be a long time before new things come to replace them, and we cannot say how much better they will be.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She reflects on humanity’s shared hatred of the world, the temptation to become evil, and the difficulty of embracing new beginnings.
In simple terms: People often hate the world yet seek happiness, sometimes through harmful means.
Key Takeaway
Accept past flaws, seek hopeful change.
Themes
existential
moral
transformation
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- social reform
- creative writing
Key Concepts
nihilism
redemption
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “new start” mean to you?
- Can evil ever be justified for personal gain?
A Different Perspective
New starts may be idealized, ignoring lingering pain.