Friend Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best-beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a black veil!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, 1850
When one hides sin and pretends virtue, they become a monster, revealing a dark veil over humanity.
In simple terms: Concealing sin creates inner darkness and alienation.
Key Takeaway
A hidden guilt leads to self‑destruction.
Themes
guilt
hypocrisy
identity
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal confession
- therapy
- spiritual reflection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
selfdeception
morality
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “black veil” symbolize for you?
- Can honesty heal the monster within?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may exaggerate personal struggle, ignoring societal factors.
