Bed Quote by H. H. Holmes
“I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing..I was born with the evil one standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal confession, 1895
A self‑identification with inner darkness, suggesting an inescapable nature of evil within the self.
In simple terms: He sees himself as inherently evil.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront inner darkness.
Themes
psychology
duality
guilt
Mood
dark
introspective
Type
confessional
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy
- self‑reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Self‑concept
moral conflict
identity crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you separate actions from identity?
- What role does self‑labeling play in behavior?
A Different Perspective
Denial of agency may prevent change.
![“I was born with the devil in me,' [Holmes] wrote. 'I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.” quote by Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b87/erik-larson-1710_born_i-was-born-with-the-devil-in-me-holmes-w_2779169.jpg)
![“Leave a cavity behind the [wall] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick or lava in courses, and then bind them to the fronts by means of iron clamps and lead. The beds and builds, all settling equally and bonded at the joints, will not let…” quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d76/marcus-vitruvius-pollio-7498_bed_leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-a_5922.jpg)
