Dark Quote by C.L. Moore
““He was staring into a greater dark that held all things.. .He had known - dimly he had known when he first gazed into those flat animal shallows that behind them lay this - beauty and terror, all horror and delight, in the infinite darkness upon her eyes opened like windows, paned with emerald glass.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “Shambleau” by C.L. Moore, 1933
The narrator confronts an overwhelming, mysterious darkness that contains both awe‑inspiring beauty and terrifying horror, reflecting the dual nature of the unknown.
In simple terms: Facing the unknown brings both wonder and fear.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity despite fear.
Themes
mystery
beauty
terror
dualities
Mood
awe
unease
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- philosophical reflection
- spiritual contemplation
Key Concepts
existentialism
aesthetic contrast
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “greater dark” symbolize for you?
- How can you find beauty in fear?
A Different Perspective
The darkness may also paralyze rather than inspire.
![“...[R]ead a great deal of the works you enjoy most. Much of it will be useless. But the trusty unconscious can be relied on to make lots of unseen notes, just in case.” quote by C.L. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/676/c-l-moore-50693_unconscious_r-ead-a-great-deal-of-the-works-you-enjo_2258982.jpg)
