When I see the blind and wretched state of men, when I survey the whole universe in its deadness, and man left to himself with no light, as though lost in this corner of the universe without knowing who put him there, what he has to do, or what will become of him when he dies, incapable of knowing anything, I am moved to terror, like a man transported in his sleep to some terrifying desert island, who wakes up quite lost, with no means of escape. Then I marvel that so wretched a state does not drive people to despair.

Summary

This quote reflects the speaker's realization of the bleak condition of humanity. They express astonishment that people do not despair in their existence, wherein they perceive humans as blind, helpless, and ignorant about their purpose in a seemingly lifeless universe. The speaker compares this state to awakening on a deserted island with no means of escape. The quote highlights the fear and lack of inherent meaning that can arise when one contemplates human existence and the seemingly insurmountable challenges it presents.

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