Darkness Quote by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
““What do you see to the south?" Tanis asked abruptly. Raistilin glanced at him. "What do I ever see with these eyes of mine Half-Elf?" the mage whispered bitterly. "I see death, death and destruction. I see war." He gestured up above. "The constellations have not returned. The Queen of Darkness is not defeated." "We may have not won the war," Tanis began, "but surely we have won a major battle---" Raistlin coughed and shook his head sadly. "Do you see no hope?" "Hope is the denial of reality. It is the carrot dangled before the draft horse to keep him plodding along in the vain attempt to reach it." "Are you saying we should just give up?" Tanis asked, irritably tossing the bark away. "I'm saying we should remove the carrot and walk forward with our eyes open," Raistin answered. Coughing he drew his robes more closely around him.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Dragonlance – “The War of the Lance” by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, 1984
Raistlin argues that hope is a deceptive illusion, urging realistic action without false promises.
In simple terms: Hope can be a harmful illusion; act with clear eyes.
Key Takeaway
Reject false hope; act realistically.
Themes
war
hope
realism
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- personal crises
- political negotiations
- social movements
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
motivation
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is hope essential despite its illusion?
- How to differentiate constructive optimism from denial?
A Different Perspective
Hope can motivate resilience; dismissing it may demoralize.
