Fear Quote by Deborah Crombie
““We late-lamented, resting here, Are mixed to human jam, And each to each exclaims in fear, ‘I know not which I am!’ ” —Thomas Hardy, “The Levelled Churchyard,” 1882””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Levelled Churchyard, 1882
The poem reflects on human uncertainty and identity, suggesting that in death we confront the loss of self and the fear of not knowing who we truly are.
In simple terms: Human identity is uncertain, especially in death.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and seek self‑knowledge.
Themes
identity
mortality
existential
philosophy
human nature
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
existential
reflective
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- philosophical reflection
- literary analysis
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
self
awareness
death
existence
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to lose your sense of self?
- How can we find identity amid uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
The line may romanticize confusion, overlooking the possibility of clear self‑understanding.
![“Stilletos of a frozen stillicide [...] In the lovely line heading this comment the reader should note the last word. My dictionary defines it as 'a succession of drops falling from the eaves, eavesdrop, cavesdrop.' I remember having encountered it for the first time in a poem by Thomas Hardy. The…” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e8/vladimir-nabokov-198_books_stilletos-of-a-frozen-stillicide-in-the_210741.jpg)
