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Darkness Quote by Samuel Johnson

“To tell of disappointment and misery, to thicken the darkness of futurity, and perplex the labyrinth of uncertainty, has been always a delicious employment of the poets” quote by Samuel Johnson
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“To tell of disappointment and misery, to thicken the darkness of futurity, and perplex the labyrinth of uncertainty, has been always a delicious employment of the poets”

Samuel Johnson

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Idler, 1750

Poets often explore bleak futures and complex doubts, finding pleasure in portraying uncertainty.

In simple terms: Poets enjoy depicting gloom and doubt.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the unknown as creative fuel.

Themes

creativity uncertainty poetry philosophy

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • art criticism
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism aestheticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does darkness inspire artistic expression?
  • What balance between gloom and optimism is healthy?
A Different Perspective

Focusing solely on darkness can ignore hope.

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