We degenerate into hideous puppets, haunted by the memory of the passions of which we were much afraid, and the exquisite temptations that we had not the courage to yield to.

Summary

This quote suggests that if we suppress our passions and resist temptations out of fear or lack of courage, we suffer the consequences. It implies that by denying ourselves the expression of our deepest desires, we become distorted versions of ourselves, trapped as mere puppets haunted by the memories of what could have been. It serves as a warning against letting fear control our choices and highlights the importance of embracing our passions, even if they lead us down uncertain paths.

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