Darkness Quote by Carl Gustav Jung
““We no longer live on what we have, but on promises, no longer in the present day, but in the darkness of the future, which, we expect, will at last bring the proper sunrise. We refuse to recognize that everything better is purchased at the price of something worse; that, for example, the hope of grater freedom is canceled out by increased enslavement to the state, not to speak of the terrible perils to which the most brilliant discoveries of science expose us. The less we understand of what our [forebears] sought, the less we understand ourselves, and thus we help with all our might to rob the individual of his roots and his guiding instincts, so that he becomes a particle in the mass, ruled only by what Neitzche called the spirit of gravity. (p.236)””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Red Book, 2009
The quote warns that society trades present reality for future promises, sacrificing individual freedom for state control and scientific risks.
In simple terms: We trade present for future promises, losing freedom and roots.
Key Takeaway
Beware promises promises that erode personal autonomy.
Themes
freedom
individualism
technology
future
society
Mood
cautious
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
psychological
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal development
- technology ethics
- education
- community building
Key Concepts
psychology
political philosophy
existential risk
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize present reality over future hope?
- How can we balance freedom with societal safety?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize complex trade‑offs and ignore benefits of collective progress.
