Companion Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“He had been driven hither by the impulse of that Remorse which dogged him everywhere, and whose own sister and closely linked companion was that Cowardice which invariably drew him back, with her tremulous gripe, just when the other impulse had hurried him to the verge of a disclosure.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, 1850
Conflicting emotions of remorse and cowardice drive and toward confession.
In simple terms: Remorse pushes, cowardice pulls back.
Key Takeaway
Balance courage with self‑awareness.
Themes
guilt
fear
confession
Mood
introspective
dramatic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal therapy
- legal testimony
- creative writing
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
psychology
moral conflict
inner dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- What holds you back from truth?
- Can remorse be constructive?
A Different Perspective
Fear may paralyze progress.
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