Justification Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““Unable to penetrate to the secret place of his soul where his motives lay hidden, he believed that a supernatural voice had called him onward, and that a supernatural power had obstructed his retreat.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, 1850
The protagonist feels an unseen, higher force guiding him while his inner motives remain hidden, creating a tension between destiny and self‑knowledge.
In simple terms: A hidden inner drive is guided by a mysterious force.
Key Takeaway
Explore inner motives despite uncertainty.
Themes
faith
psychology
destiny
self‑discovery
conflict
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- psychological analysis
Key Concepts
spiritual guidance
inner conflict
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner motives are you unaware of?
- How do you reconcile external guidance with personal agency?
A Different Perspective
The supernatural may mask personal responsibility.
![“9. Zen and Supernatural Power. Yoga[FN#250] claims that various supernatural powers can be acquired by Meditation, but Zen does not make any such absurd claims. It rather disdains those who are believed to have acquired supernatural powers by the practice of austerities.” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07f/kaiten-nukariya-793_meditation_9-zen-and-supernatural-power-yoga-fn-250_804101.jpg)
