There's a stream that trickles through all of us. It's…
““There's a stream that trickles through all of us. It's always there. It's evil and we know this, so we force it to mix with the larger river inside us. We let it be consumed by the greater flow of good. But when the good in the river runs dry and there isn't enough of it to dilute the stream, then the stream flows faster and harder, uncontrolled, and it finally floods one life, then another, then another. And it's always the innocent who are easiest to pull down. It's always the innocent who are standing there on the banks and looking in, curious and trusting and sometimes, maybe, even a little brave.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human nature contains a dark impulse that can be suppressed by goodness, but when goodness wanes, the darkness can overwhelm and harm the innocent.
In simple terms: Badness can rise when good is lacking.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate continual goodness to keep darkness in check.
Themes
morality
human nature
innocence
balance
Mood
reflective
serious
cautionary
Type
literary
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- community conflict
- moral decision making
- protecting vulnerable
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
ethics
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain goodness during hardship?
- What safeguards can protect the innocent?
A Different Perspective
If good is insufficient, darkness may not be controllable.