Accepting Quote by Umberto Eco
“To escape the power of the unknown, to prove to yourself that you don't believe in it, you accept its spells. Like an avowed atheist who sees the Devil at night, you reason: He certainly doesn't exist; this is therefore an illusion, perhaps a result of indigestion. But the Devil is sure that he exists, and believes in his upside-down theology. What, then, will frighten him? You make the sign of the cross, and he vanishes in a puff of brimstone.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, 1980
Believing in something you claim to deny gives it power; confronting it with a symbol can neutralize its fear.
In simple terms: Denial gives power; symbols can dispel fear.
Key Takeaway
Use symbols to confront irrational fears.
Themes
belief
fear
symbolism
psychology
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual doubt
- nightmares
- rituals
- psychological therapy
Key Concepts
self‑fulfilling prophecy
cognitive dissonance
mythic archetype
Questions to Reflect On
- What fear do you give power by denying it?
- Can a simple ritual truly dispel deep anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Symbolic actions may not change underlying beliefs.
