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have observed that when I wore the semblance of Edward…

“have observed that when I wore the semblance of Edward Hyde, none could come near to me at first without a visible misgiving of the flesh. This, as I take it, was because all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was…” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson
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““have observed that when I wore the semblance of Edward Hyde, none could come near to me at first without a visible misgiving of the flesh. This, as I take it, was because all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.””

Robert Louis Stevenson

About This Quote

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

The narrator notes that when he adopts a wholly evil persona, people instinctively recoil, revealing the innate mix of good and evil in humanity.

In simple terms: Evil appearance triggers fear, showing human duality.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how appearance influences perception.

Themes

human nature duality perception

Mood

uneasy reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal interactions
  • leadership
  • media representation

Key Concepts

psychology morality social reaction

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does perceived evil affect trust?
  • Can good and evil coexist in one person?
A Different Perspective

Pure evil is a social construct, not an absolute.

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