--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I shall set down in a few lines how…" description: "\"“I shall set down in a few lines how uptight Maldoror was during his early years, when he lived happy. There: done. He later perceived he was born wick..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/comte-de-lautr-amont-19764_quote_i-shall-set-down-in-a-few-lines-how-upti_1803990.jpg" --- # I shall set down in a few lines how uptight Maldoror was… ![“I shall set down in a few lines how uptight Maldoror was during his early years, when he lived happy. There: done. He later perceived he was born wicked: strange mischance! For a great many years he concealed his character as best he could; but in the end, because this effort was not natural to…” quote by Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/comte-de-lautr-amont-19764_quote_i-shall-set-down-in-a-few-lines-how-upti_1803990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/comte-de-lautr-amont-19764_quote_i-shall-set-down-in-a-few-lines-how-upti_1803990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce1/comte-de-lautr-amont-19764_quote_i-shall-set-down-in-a-few-lines-how-upti_1803990.jpg) > ““I shall set down in a few lines how uptight Maldoror was during his early years, when he lived happy. There: done. He later perceived he was born wicked: strange mischance! For a great many years he concealed his character as best he could; but in the end, because this effort was not natural to him, each day the blood would rush to his head until, unable any longer to bear such a life, he hurled himself resolutely into a career of evil … sweet atmosphere! Who could guess whenever he hugged a rosycheeked young child, that he was longing to hack off those cheeks with a razor and would have done so often had not the idea of Justice and her long cortège of punishments restrained him on every occasion.”” [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A confession of inner conflict between innate wickedness and societal restraint, illustrating the struggle of suppressed darkness. **In simple terms:** Inner evil battles moral restraint. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront hidden impulses. Themes guilt duality psychology morality Mood melancholic intense Type literary psychological When to use this quote - therapy - creative writing - self‑analysis - ethical decision‑making - personal growth Key Concepts Freudian conflict existential angst Questions to Reflect On - Can darkness be transformed into good? - What prevents you from acting on harmful urges? A Different Perspective The narrative may romanticize suffering, overlooking paths to redemption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) ## Related quotes > [“Beating yourself up over every perceived mistake is the work of an internal abuser who must be restrained and reformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/beating-yourself-up-over-every-perceived-mistake-is-the-work-of-an/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Peace is restrained; this is free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/peace-is-restrained-this-is-free/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [It's not subtle or restrained. 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It's more stripped-down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-deacon/daks-is-a-much-more-restrained-silhouette-and-there-s-a-real-emphasis/) [Giles Deacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-deacon/) > [“He would likely either leave engaged or unconscious, depending on how things went with Lady Miranda and her brothers. Women weren’t usually forgiving when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-ann-hunter/he-would-likely-either-leave-engaged-or-unconscious-depending-on-how/) [Kristi Ann Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-ann-hunter/) > [Not exactly hit them, but I've restrained a few people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-zito/not-exactly-hit-them-but-i-ve-restrained-a-few-people/) [Chuck Zito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-zito/) > [On the field, aggression can sometimes be a positive emotion. It boosts performance and can lift your game. But over the years, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virat-kohli/on-the-field-aggression-can-sometimes-be-a-positive-emotion-it-boosts/) [Virat Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virat-kohli/) > [Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place & governs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/those-who-restrain-desire-do-so-because-theirs-is-weak-enough-to-be/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-have-never-been-carried-around-by-a-large-boy-or-laughed-until-my/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Had you restrained your love, you would be free of sorrow. The greater the love, while one possesses it, the greater the sorrow when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/had-you-restrained-your-love-you-would-be-free-of-sorrow-the-greater/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Comte de Lautréamont > [“After some hours, the dogs, exhausted by running round, almost dead, their tongues hanging out, set upon one another and, not knowing what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/after-some-hours-the-dogs-exhausted-by-running-round-almost-dead/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“He dreams he is happy; that his corporeal nature has changed; or at least that he has flown off upon a purple cloud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/he-dreams-he-is-happy-that-his-corporeal-nature-has-changed-or-at/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“Oh incomprehensible pederasts, I shall not heap insults upon your great degradation; I shall not be the one to pour scorn on your infundibuliform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/oh-incomprehensible-pederasts-i-shall-not-heap-insults-upon-your/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“— What were you thinking about, child? — I was thinking of heaven. — It’s unnecessary for you to think of heaven: there’s already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/what-were-you-thinking-about-child-i-was-thinking-of-heaven-it-s/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“I do not accept evil. Man is perfect. The soul does not fall. Progress exists. . . . 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Oh! how sweet to snatch brutally from his bed a boy who has as yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/one-should-let-one-s-fingernails-grow-for-a-fortnight-oh-how-sweet-to/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“Oh if only instead of being a hell, the universe had been an immense anus!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/oh-if-only-instead-of-being-a-hell-the-universe-had-been-an-immense/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“Old ocean, the different species of fish that you nurture have not sworn brotherhood among themselves. Each species lives apart, on its own. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/old-ocean-the-different-species-of-fish-that-you-nurture-have-not/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [I will leave no memoirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/i-will-leave-no-memoirs/) [Comte de Lautreamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“One should let one's nails grow for a fortnight. O, how sweet it is to drag brutally from his bed a child with no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/one-should-let-one-s-nails-grow-for-a-fortnight-o-how-sweet-it-is-to/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“I am son of man and woman, so they tell me. That astounds me . . . I thought myself more!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/i-am-son-of-man-and-woman-so-they-tell-me-that-astounds-me-i-thought/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“I sought a soul that might resemble mine, and I could not find it. I scanned all the crannies of the earth: my perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/i-sought-a-soul-that-might-resemble-mine-and-i-could-not-find-it-i/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) > [“It is not right that everyone should read the pages which follow; only a few will be able to savour this bitter fruit with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comte-de-lautr-amont/it-is-not-right-that-everyone-should-read-the-pages-which-follow-only/) [Comte de Lautréamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) [Explore all 20 Comte de Lautréamont quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/comte-de-lautr-amont/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I shall set down in a few lines how uptight Maldoror was during his early years, when he lived happy. There: done. He later perceived he was born wicked: strange mischance! For a great many years he concealed his character as best he could; but in the end, because this effort was not natural to him, each day the blood would rush to his head until, unable any longer to bear such a life, he hurled himself resolutely into a career of evil … sweet atmosphere! 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