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I remeber asking a wise man, once . . . 'Why do Men fear…

“I remeber asking a wise man, once . . . 'Why do Men fear the dark?' . . . 'Because darkness' he told me, 'is ignorance made visable.' 'And do Men despise ignorance?' I asked. 'No,' he said, 'they prize it above all things--all things!--but only so long as it remains invisible.” quote by R. Scott Bakker
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“I remeber asking a wise man, once . . . 'Why do Men fear the dark?' . . . 'Because darkness' he told me, 'is ignorance made visable.' 'And do Men despise ignorance?' I asked. 'No,' he said, 'they prize it above all things--all things!--but only so long as it remains invisible.”

R. Scott Bakker

About This Quote

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

Men fear darkness because they equate it with unknown, and they value ignorance when it stays hidden.

In simple terms: Fear stems from unseen ignorance.

Key Takeaway

Expose hidden truths to reduce fear.

Themes

fear ignorance visibility

Mood

cautious inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • social reform
  • education
  • personal introspection

Key Concepts

philosophy mythology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truths are you avoiding?
  • How does visibility change power dynamics?
A Different Perspective

Sometimes ignorance is protective; exposing it can cause harm.

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