Dreams Quote by Richard Wright
““Maybe man is nothing in particular,' Cross said gropingly. 'Maybe that's the terror of it. Man may be just anything at all. And maybe man deep down suspects this, really knows this, kind of dreams that it is true; but at the same time he does not want really to know it? May not human life on this earth be a kind of frozen fear of man at what he could possibly be? And every move he makes might not these moves be just to hide this awful fact? To twist it into something which he feels would make him rest and breathe a little easier? What man is is perhaps too much to be borne by man...””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Native Son by Richard Wright, 1940
The passage reflects existential dread about humanity’s lack of fixed identity and the fear of confronting our limitless potential, leading to self‑deception.
In simple terms: Man fears his boundless potential and hides it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and accept your freedom.
Themes
existentialism
identity
fear
self‑deception
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative work
- psychological therapy
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
nihilism
freedom
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of yourself do you hide?
- How does fear shape your choices?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist confronting its own limitless possibilities.
