There can be, if I forebode aright, no power, short of the Divine mercy, to disclose, whether by uttered words, or by type or emblem, the secrets that may be buried with a human heart. The heart, making itself guilty of such secrets, must perforce hold them, until the day when all hidden things shall be revealed. Nor have I so read or interpreted the Holy Writ, as to understand that the disclosure of human thoughts and deeds, then to be made, is intended as part of the retribution. That, surely, were a shallow view of it. No; these revelations, unless I greatly error, are meant merely to promote the intellectual satisfaction of all intelligent beings, who will stand waiting, on that day, to see the dark problem of this life made plain. A knowledge of men's hearts will be needful to the completest solution of that problem. And I conceive, moreover, that the hearts holding such secrets as you speak of will yield them up, at that last day, not with reluctance, but with a joy unutterable. . Nathaniel Hawthorne
About This Quote

A person may be reluctant to disclose their deepest thoughts and wishes, but that does not mean that they wouldn’t do so if they were put into a position where their secrets would be revealed. The idea that our secrets will be unveiled at the end of all things is an incredibly comforting thought. This idea is especially important for those who are guilty of wrongdoing. We know that our deeds will come back to haunt us, but it can help us to feel better knowing that at some point, they will be laid bare for everyone to see.

Source: The Scarlet Letter

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