Courage Quote by Robert Louis Stevenson
““Mr. Hyde was pale and dwarfish, he gave an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation, he had a displeasing smile, he had borne himself to the lawyer with a sort of murderous mixture of timidity and boldness, and he spoke with a husky, whispering and somewhat broken voice; all these were points against him, but not all of these together could explain the hitherto unknown disgust, loathing and fear with which Mr. Utterson regarded him. “There must be something else,” said the perplexed gentleman. “There is something more, if I could find a name for it. God bless me, the man seems hardly human! Something troglodytic, shall we say? or can it be the old story of Dr. Fell? or is it the mere radiance of a foul soul that thus transpires through, and transfigures, its clay continent? The last, I think; for, O my poor old Harry Jekyll, if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886
Utterson senses an indescribable revulsion toward Hyde, beyond physical traits, hinting at a deeper moral corruption.
In simple terms: Utterson feels deep disgust he cannot name.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that fear often stems from unseen moral decay.
Themes
fear
perception
duality
morality
psychology
Mood
uneasy
curious
foreboding
Type
literary
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- legal investigation
- personal introspection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
the uncanny
the hidden self
evil
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen qualities cause us to distrust others?
- How do we label moral corruption?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a supernatural explanation for evil, ignoring rational psychological factors.
