--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And who talks of error now? I scarcely…" description: "\"“And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion that flittered across my brain was an error. I believe it was an inspiration rather than a tem..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a40/charlotte-bronte-144_angel_and-who-talks-of-error-now-i-scarcely-th_1592748.jpg" --- # And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion… ![“And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion that flittered across my brain was an error. I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation: it was very genial, very soothing—I know that. Here it comes again! It is no devil, I assure you; or if it be, it has put on the robes of…” quote by Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a40/charlotte-bronte-144_angel_and-who-talks-of-error-now-i-scarcely-th_1592748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a40/charlotte-bronte-144_angel_and-who-talks-of-error-now-i-scarcely-th_1592748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a40/charlotte-bronte-144_angel_and-who-talks-of-error-now-i-scarcely-th_1592748.jpg) > ““And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion that flittered across my brain was an error. I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation: it was very genial, very soothing—I know that. Here it comes again! It is no devil, I assure you; or if it be, it has put on the robes of an angel of light. I think I must admit so fair a guest when it asks entrance to my heart.” “Distrust it, sir; it is not a true angel.” “Once more, how do you know? By what instinct do you pretend to distinguish between a fallen seraph of the abyss and a messenger from the eternal throne—between a guide and a seducer?” “I judged by your countenance, sir, which was troubled when you said the suggestion had returned upon you. I feel sure it will work you more misery if you listen to it.” “Not at all—it bears the most gracious message in the world: for the rest, you are not my conscience-keeper, so don’t make yourself uneasy. Here, come in, bonny wanderer!” He said this as if he spoke to a vision, viewless to any eye but his own; then, folding his arms, which he had half extended, on his chest, he seemed to enclose in their embrace the invisible being. “Now,” he continued, again addressing me, “I have received the pilgrim—a disguised deity, as I verily believe. Already it has done me good: my heart was a sort of charnel; it will now be a shrine.”” [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage explores the seductive allure of ideas that feel both dangerous and comforting, urging caution in discerning true inspiration from deceptive temptation. **In simple terms:** Ideas can seem both inviting and risky. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind compelling thoughts. Themes temptation intuition duality Mood reflective introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - making decisions - creative brainstorming - personal reflection Key Concepts Psychology self‑deception inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What inner voices guide you? - How do you differentiate genuine insight from self‑delusion? A Different Perspective The allure may mask harmful influences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angel/) [Demon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Remorse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remorse/) [Shrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrine/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) ## Related quotes > [Observe that it is a great error to believe that all mediums of art are not closely tied to their time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-pissarro/observe-that-it-is-a-great-error-to-believe-that-all-mediums-of-art/) [Camille Pissarro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-pissarro/) > [“I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-believe-it-was-an-inspiration-rather-than-a-temptation/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“For the Word of God is not received by faith if it flits about in the top of the brain, but when it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/for-the-word-of-god-is-not-received-by-faith-if-it-flits-about-in-the/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [How much the more in judging of the human heart should we distrust all fashionable airs and graces, all tricks and smartness, learnt only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murasaki-shikibu/how-much-the-more-in-judging-of-the-human-heart-should-we-distrust/) [Murasaki Shikibu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murasaki-shikibu/) > [“What we firmly believe, if it is true, is called knowledge, provided it is either intuitive or inferred (logically or psychologically) from intuitive knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/what-we-firmly-believe-if-it-is-true-is-called-knowledge-provided-it/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It is error to believe that Every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of reason, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-ix/it-is-error-to-believe-that-every-man-is-free-to-embrace-and-profess/) [Pope Pius IX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-ix/) > [It is, I think, an error to believe that there is any need of religion to make life seem worth living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-lewis/it-is-i-think-an-error-to-believe-that-there-is-any-need-of-religion/) [Sinclair Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-lewis/) > [It is, all in all, a historic error to believe that the master makes the school; the students make it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/it-is-all-in-all-a-historic-error-to-believe-that-the-master-makes/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [The great god Ra, whose shrine once covered acres, is filler now for crossword puzzle makers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-preston/the-great-god-ra-whose-shrine-once-covered-acres-is-filler-now-for/) [Keith Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-preston/) > [At the shrine of friendship never say die, let the wine of friendship never run dry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/at-the-shrine-of-friendship-never-say-die-let-the-wine-of-friendship/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“...when I chose you, I didn't want the commonplace - I didn't want a 'partner' - I wanted a shrine...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-geddes/when-i-chose-you-i-didn-t-want-the-commonplace-i-didn-t-want-a/) [John Geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-geddes/) > [I paid a visit to Yasukuni Shrine to pray for the souls of those who had fought for the country and made ultimate sacrifices.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinzo-abe/i-paid-a-visit-to-yasukuni-shrine-to-pray-for-the-souls-of-those-who/) [Shinzo Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinzo-abe/) > [Meri Desh ki Dharti' happened when lyricist Gulshan Bawra and I gone to a shrine to pay our respects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-kumar/meri-desh-ki-dharti-happened-when-lyricist-gulshan-bawra-and-i-gone/) [Manoj Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-kumar/) > [“We Lesbian Avengers have built this shrine. It stands for our fear. It stands for our grief. It stands for our rage. And it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-j-cogswell/we-lesbian-avengers-have-built-this-shrine-it-stands-for-our-fear-it/) [Kelly J. Cogswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-j-cogswell/) > [The person on the shrine is myself. I listen to my own music constantly. I made a whole other record already. I look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willis-earl-beal/the-person-on-the-shrine-is-myself-i-listen-to-my-own-music/) [Willis Earl Beal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willis-earl-beal/) ## More by Charlotte Bronte > [When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should - so hard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/when-we-are-struck-at-without-a-reason-we-should-strike-back-again/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“A deal of people, Miss, are for trusting all to Providence; but I say Providence will not dispense with the means, though He often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/a-deal-of-people-miss-are-for-trusting-all-to-providence-but-i-say/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“This night is not calm; the equinox still struggles in its storms. The wild rains of the day are abated; the great single cloud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/this-night-is-not-calm-the-equinox-still-struggles-in-its-storms-the/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“How dare I, Mrs Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth. You think I have no feelings, and that I can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/how-dare-i-mrs-reed-how-dare-i-because-it-is-the-truth-you-think-i/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“If men could see us as we really are, they would be a little amazed; but the cleverest, the acutest men are often under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-men-could-see-us-as-we-really-are-they-would-be-a-little-amazed/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Poverty, for me, is synonymous with degradation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/poverty-for-me-is-synonymous-with-degradation/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [When his first-born was put into his arms, he could see that the boy had inherited his own eyes, as they once were -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/when-his-first-born-was-put-into-his-arms-he-could-see-that-the-boy/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Talented people almost always know full well the excellence that is in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/talented-people-almost-always-know-full-well-the-excellence-that-is/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Not one spark of spirit, not one symptom of resistance, would they have shown till the hand of the Corsican bandit had grasped that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/not-one-spark-of-spirit-not-one-symptom-of-resistance-would-they-have/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Love can excuse anything except meanness; but meanness kills love, cripples even natural affection; without esteem true love cannot exist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/love-can-excuse-anything-except-meanness-but-meanness-kills-love/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [I think you will learn to be natural with me, as I find it impossible to be conventional with you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-think-you-will-learn-to-be-natural-with-me-as-i-find-it-impossible/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“You are no ruin sir--no lighting-struck tree: you are green and vigorous. Plants will grow about your roots, whether you ask them or not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/you-are-no-ruin-sir-no-lighting-struck-tree-you-are-green-and/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) [Explore all 1,082 Charlotte Bronte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) ## More Angel quotes > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [If I wer an angel,i would make all your wishes come true..but I'm only a girl a girl who loves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/if-i-wer-an-angel-i-would-make-all-your-wishes-come-true-but-i-m-only/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Behind my eyelids, I saw him dancing in spirals of coloured light, emerald, blue, and brilliant purple, enfolding him like the wings of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-hall/behind-my-eyelids-i-saw-him-dancing-in-spirals-of-coloured-light/) [Alexis Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-hall/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't think people will ever forget I was an 'Angel,' anymore than they'll forget Sally Field was 'The Flying Nun.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-ladd/i-don-t-think-people-will-ever-forget-i-was-an-angel-anymore-than/) [Cheryl Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-ladd/) > [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) > [I believe in UFOs, I believe in extraterrestrials, and I believe in angels. And maybe they'll protect all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-believe-in-ufos-i-believe-in-extraterrestrials-and-i-believe-in/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [You should never feel lonely, neglected, fearful, or defeated when you remember that there are the shining ones. They are watching with keen interest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flower-a-newhouse/you-should-never-feel-lonely-neglected-fearful-or-defeated-when-you/) [Flower A. Newhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flower-a-newhouse/) > [Hark the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born king.' Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-glory-to-the-new-born-king-peace-on-earth/) [Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Mooner was walking around laying his hands on the cars, divining karma. "this is it", he said, standing by a small khaki-colored jeep."this car…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/mooner-was-walking-around-laying-his-hands-on-the-cars-divining-karma/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) [Browse all 4,625 Angel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angel/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion that flittered across my brain was an error. I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation: it was very genial, very soothing—I know that. Here it comes again! It is no devil, I assure you; or if it be, it has put on the robes of an angel of light. I think I must admit so fair a guest when it asks entrance to my heart.” “Distrust it, sir; it is not a true angel.” “Once more, how do you know? By what instinct do you pretend to distinguish between a fallen seraph of the abyss and a messenger from the eternal throne—between a guide and a seducer?” “I judged by your countenance, sir, which was troubled when you said the suggestion had returned upon you. I feel sure it will work you more misery if you listen to it.” “Not at all—it bears the most gracious message in the world: for the rest, you are not my conscience-keeper, so don’t make yourself uneasy. Here, come in, bonny wanderer!” He said this as if he spoke to a vision, viewless to any eye but his own; then, folding his arms, which he had half extended, on his chest, he seemed to enclose in their embrace the invisible being. “Now,” he continued, again addressing me, “I have received the pilgrim—a disguised deity, as I verily believe. 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