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Devils Quote by H.P. Lovecraft

“Poor devils! After all, they were not evil things of their kind. They were the men of another age and another order of being. Nature had played a hellish jest on them—as it will on any others that human madness, callousness, or cruelty may hereafter drag up in that hideously dead or sleeping polar…” quote by H.P. Lovecraft
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““Poor devils! After all, they were not evil things of their kind. They were the men of another age and another order of being. Nature had played a hellish jest on them—as it will on any others that human madness, callousness, or cruelty may hereafter drag up in that hideously dead or sleeping polar waste—and this was their tragic homecoming.””

H.P. Lovecraft

About This Quote

Source Story: The Shadow Over Innsmouth, 1936

The passage reflects on beings displaced by time and cruelty, suffering because of humanity’s madness and the harshness of nature.

In simple terms: Outsiders suffer due to human cruelty and harsh environments.

Key Takeaway

Recognize empathy for those marginalized by history.

Themes

empathy misunderstanding human cruelty

Mood

somber reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • colonial exploitation
  • environmental disaster
  • social alienation

Key Concepts

existential dread historical displacement nature’s indifference

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we prevent cruelty toward the 'other'?
  • What responsibilities do we have to displaced peoples?
A Different Perspective

The quote romanticizes suffering without offering solutions.

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