Dark Quote by James Gould Cozzens
““The recognition of his carelessness filled Mr. Lecky with fear and anger. In the dusk his eerie heart could anticipate the hours of terror which he had laid up for himself. Sounds, real or imaginary, the silences and secrets of the night, the working of his own mind, skilled in cruel illusion and rich in evil fancy, would find him without recourse.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: By the Same Door by James Gould Cozzens, 1949
A man’s own careless actions generate fear and anger, and his mind creates terrifying imagined horrors that trap him.
In simple terms: Carelessness breeds fear and imagined terror.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and curb careless habits.
Themes
fear
anger
self‑deception
night
psychology
Mood
anxious
tense
dark
Type
literary
psychological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- nighttime anxiety
- creative writing
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
guilt
illusion
anxiety
self‑sabotage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your habits fuel your anxieties?
- What steps can you take to break the cycle of self‑inflicted fear?
A Different Perspective
His imagination may amplify danger, but external threats can be equally real.
