We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Summary

This quote, often attributed to Greek philosopher Plato, suggests that being afraid of the dark, symbolizing ignorant or unknown aspects of life, is a forgivable characteristic in a child. However, it states that the true tragedy lies in men, or individuals, who fear the light. Here, "light" represents knowledge, truth, and enlightenment. The quote implies that it is a tragic flaw when adults fear facing realities or embracing knowledge, as it hinders personal growth and prevents them from attaining a higher understanding of the world.

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