I think if Eternity held torment, its form would not be fiery rack, nor its nature, despair. I think that on a certain day amongst those days which never dawned, and will not set, an angel entered Hades – stood, shone, smiled, delivered a prophecy of conditional pardon, kindled a doubtful hope of bliss to come, not now, but at a day and hour unlooked for, revealed in his own glory and grandeur the height and compass of his promise: spoke thus – then towering, became a star, and vanished into his own Heaven. His legacy was suspense – a worse boon than despair.Anonymous
About This Quote
In the 19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote a poem called “The Poet.” It is considered one of his best works, and it is very well known by many people today. In this poem, Emerson describes a man who falls into a cave that leads to the land of the dead. Once he has entered the cave, his friend tells him that he is in Hell. The man does not believe this for he knows that there are no such places as Hell or Heaven, but his friend keeps telling him otherwise, insisting that the man is in Hell.
The truth of his friend’s words finally sinks in when the man sees himself in Hell. He realizes that his friend was right about everything, and he is being punished for not believing him sooner.
Source: Villette
Some Similar Quotes
- When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.
- She wanted to lose herself in him. To tie his arms around her like a tourniquet. If she showed him how much she needed him, he'd run away.
- Life ... is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
- Despair is the price one pays for self-awareness. Look deeply into life, and you'll always find despair.
- Fame you'll be famous, as famous as can be, with everyone watching you win on TV, Except when they don't because sometimes they won't..