Around the corner Quote by Aldous Huxley
““Millions and Millions," he whispered to himself: and the enormity of the evil seemed to grow with every repetition of the word. All over the world, millions of men and women lying in pain; millions dying, at this very moment; millions more grieving over them, their faces distorted, like that poor old hag's,the tears running down their cheeks. Ad millions starving, millions frightened, and sick and anxious. Millions being cursed and kicked and beaten by other brutal millions. And everywhere the stink of garbage and drink and unwashed bodies, everywhere the blight of stupidity and ugliness. The horror was always there, even when one happened to be feeling well and happy --always there, just around the corner and behind almost every door.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1932
The endless repetition of suffering amplifies its horror, making it omnipresent and overwhelming.
In simple terms: Repeated suffering feels endless and terrifying.
Key Takeaway
Recognize patterns of suffering to address root causes.
Themes
suffering
repetition
humanity
despair
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
critical.
When to use this quote
- war zones
- refugee crises
- pandemic response
- environmental disaster
- systemic oppression
Key Concepts
existential dread
social critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can reduce the cumulative impact of repeated tragedies?
- How does constant exposure to suffering affect empathy?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on scale can obscure individual stories and agency.
![“King Arthur: I am your king. Peasant Woman: Well, I didn't vote for you. King Arthur: You don't vote for kings. Peasant Woman: Well, how'd you become king, then? [Angelic music plays... ] King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the…” quote by Monty Python and the Holy Grail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/40f/monty-python-and-the-holy-grai_divine-providence_king-arthur-i-am-your-king-peasant-woman_1118716.jpg)
