--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there is a dark and hostile power…" description: "\"“If there is a dark and hostile power, laying its treacherous toils within us, by which it holds us fast and draws us along the path of peril and destr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/e-t-a-hoffmann-2-31616_dark_if-there-is-a-dark-and-hostile-power-lay_2614930.jpg" --- # If there is a dark and hostile power, laying its… ![“If there is a dark and hostile power, laying its treacherous toils within us, by which it holds us fast and draws us along the path of peril and destruction, which we should not otherwise have trod; if, I say there is such a power, it must form itself inside us and out of ourselves, indeed; it…” quote by E.T.A. Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/e-t-a-hoffmann-2-31616_dark_if-there-is-a-dark-and-hostile-power-lay_2614930.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/e-t-a-hoffmann-2-31616_dark_if-there-is-a-dark-and-hostile-power-lay_2614930.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/360/e-t-a-hoffmann-2-31616_dark_if-there-is-a-dark-and-hostile-power-lay_2614930.jpg) > ““If there is a dark and hostile power, laying its treacherous toils within us, by which it holds us fast and draws us along the path of peril and destruction, which we should not otherwise have trod; if, I say there is such a power, it must form itself inside us and out of ourselves, indeed; it must become identical with ourselves. For it is only in this condition that we can believe in it, and grant it the room which it requires to accomplish its secret work. Now, if we have a mind which is sufficiently firm, sufficiently strengthened by the joy of life, always to recognize this strange enemy as such, and calmly to follow the path of our own inclination and calling, then the dark power will fail in its attempt to gain a form that shall be a reflection of ourselves.”” [E.T.A. Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-t-a-hoffmann-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A hostile inner force can dominate us unless we strengthen our mind with life's joy and stay true to our own path. **In simple terms:** Inner darkness can be resisted by a firm, joyful mind. Key Takeaway Cultivate joy and self‑awareness to thwart inner negativity. Themes self‑knowledge inner conflict resilience Mood reflective determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - mental health - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts psychology philosophy spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize inner negativity? - What practices keep your mind joyful? A Different Perspective A strong mind alone may not fully prevent external influences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Joy of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy-of-life/) [Ptsd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ptsd/) [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) [Romanticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romanticism/) ## Related quotes > [“If there is a dark and hostile power which traitorously fixes a thread in our hearts in order that, laying hold of it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-t-a-hoffmann/if-there-is-a-dark-and-hostile-power-which-traitorously-fixes-a/) [E. T. A. 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Hoffmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-t-a-hoffmann-2/) ## More Dark quotes > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [“I could see her will leaving and death seeping through her skin to skewer her soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-stroube/i-could-see-her-will-leaving-and-death-seeping-through-her-skin-to/) [J.D. Stroube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-stroube/) > [The soul wanders in the dark, until it finds love. 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For it is only in this condition that we can believe in it, and grant it the room which it requires to accomplish its secret work. Now, if we have a mind which is sufficiently firm, sufficiently strengthened by the joy of life, always to recognize this strange enemy as such, and calmly to follow the path of our own inclination and calling, then the dark power will fail in its attempt to gain a form that shall be a reflection of ourselves.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "E.T.A. 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