Melancholy and sadness are the start of doubt... doubt is the beginning of despair; despair is the cruel beginning of the differing degrees of wickedness.

Summary

This quote suggests that melancholy and sadness can lead to doubt, which in turn can escalate into despair. It implies that when a person begins to doubt, they open themselves up to the possibility of sinking deeper into despair and succumbing to various degrees of wickedness. The quote underscores the interconnectedness of negative emotions and the potential spiral into a darker state of being.