70 Dark Quotes About its Haunting Beauty That Let Hope Shine
Darkness — the lack of illumination — unveils life's complexity. On the one hand, it signifies sadness, fear, or death, and on the other, it could also convey the unknown blessing that has yet to come or a canvass for a shining light. From the shadows within to the challenges we face, from psychologists to artists, explore our collection of dark quotes that capture the duality of this natural phenomenon.
Quick links to our selection of dark quotes:
Quotes About Darkness And Light
Darkness results from the absence of light, but such absence takes its own form. Dark and light always coexist in the natural world through to our psychological experiences. For instance, the timing of any form of light and total darkness dictates our circadian rhythm, even the animals. Yin and Yang, a Chinese philosophical concept, represents two opposite yet connected positive and negative forces.
To start this section, American poet and activist Maya Angelou (on Amazon) describes these basic phenomena and concepts as two sides of the same coin.
Let's deepen our reflection on both through the dark quotes below or head to our light quotes for more insights from the other side of the spectrum, away from our darkest moment.
Related: you might also like our selection of black color quotes.
Dark Quotes About Life And The Shadows
Life encompasses moments of joy, heartache, and everything in between. As we navigate these experiences, we often encounter dark thoughts and emotions that can cast a shadow over our lives. Facing challenges, witnessing our shadows grow, and questioning our values are both enlightening and terrifying as it forces us to confront our true selves.
Carl Jung refers to our dark sides as our shadow selves, but whatever we call this part of our personalities, we must never forget that it is just that — parts. Through mindfulness, compassion, and forgiveness, we can learn to accept who we are and make necessary changes without persecuting ourselves.
Embrace your shadows within as you read the following dark quotes about life.
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.
~ Ruth E. Renkel
Quotes About Dark Times And Overcoming Adversity
The darkness of life reveals itself to us through adversities — dealing with failures, battling depression, and coping with someone's death. These dark times can be incredibly challenging, testing our resilience and pushing us to our limits. A study even proved how post-traumatic growth fosters resilience1, improving mental health and well-being.
As German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche says, "That which does not kill us outright makes us stronger." Often in these dark moments, we discover our true strength and learn to appreciate the light that follows.
To start this section of dark quotes, we have American minister and activist Martin Luther King Jr., who fought inequality through his "I Have a Dream" speech and other nonviolent tactics and eventually paved the way for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
Whatever you're facing in life, emerge from it with the help of the dark quotes below.
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
~ Marthin Luther King Jr.
To all who walk the dark path, and to those who walk in the sunshine but hold out a hand in the darkness to travel beside us.
~ Jenny Lawson
Beautiful Darkness Quotes That Reflect On Its Beauty
Darkness is often associated with mystery, fear, and the unknown. Yet it still holds a certain magnificence that no one can deny. In nature, we can appreciate the dark in how it contrasts with the brightness of the stars and the moon, casting a mesmerizing glow across the night sky. Likewise, the vibrant colors of a sunset or a sunrise create a breathtaking view that we can only witness with darkness as the canvas.
Delve deep into the beauty of darkness through the beautiful and deep dark quotes below or click on to our night quotes for more from dark nights.
Insightful Dark Quotes From Authors And Artists
Like all natural phenomena, authors and artists have taken inspiration from the dark and given life to their works with their own touch. Take, for example, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, a renowned Mexican artistic photographer known as Mexico's Poet of Light.
A famous Mexican poet Xavier Villaurrutia perfectly describes that his best photos "confront us with veritable representations of the unrepresentable, tangible proofs of the invisible."
Pick the minds of the authors and poets through their dark quotes below to have a newfound perspective on darkness.
The sky grew darker and darker blue, and soon the stars came out. Teddy Robinson lay and stared at them without blinking, and they twinkled and shone and winked at him as if they were surprised to see a teddy bear lying in the garden.
~ Joan G. Robinson
It was the possibility of darkness that made the day seem so bright.
~ Stephen King
We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won't do harm – yes, choose a place where you won't do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.
~ E.M. Forster
The darkness declares the glory of light.
~ T. S. Eliot
Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no tomorrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace.
~ Oscar Wilde
Deep Dark Quotes From Psychologists And Philosophers
The human psyche is complex and fascinating, resulting in psychologists and philosophers developing numerous theories to explain our thinking and way of being. To expound on Carl Jung's shadows, as mentioned above, is one of four archetypes derived from the collective unconscious.
Like Freud's id, Jung describes the shadow as "the thing a person has no wish to be.2" The other archetypes are persona, the face we show to the world; anima/animus, the unconscious side of our opposite sex; and self, the union of the conscious and unconscious psyche.
Psychologists and philosophers have long been developing theories about how our minds work. However, this does not even scratch the surface. So after reading the deep dark quotes below, explore their ideas and form your own insights.
For another take on understanding personality traits, check out our article on enneagram triads.
More Dark Quotes From Famous People
In this section, we get insights from famous personalities like William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, who has penned numerous dark quotes in his works, such as Macbeth. (here on Amazon) This fine play reminds us not to let evil thoughts corrupt us, no matter how ambitious we get.
We also have a dark quote from Anne Frank. The young Jewish girl wrote a diary during the Holocaust, which reveals her thoughts on life and hope in the middle of chaos.
Both remind us to avoid the dark from stealing the light within us. Check out more perspectives from the dark quotes of authors to celebrities below.
In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you.
~ Janet Jackson
Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter.
~ Bono
Short Dark Quotes To Post On Social Media
We have always received comfort from encouraging messages online, especially during the height of the pandemic. But, more than getting updates and entertainment, we also utilized social media platforms like Instagram to seek connections that social distancing deprived us of.
Even if there were instances it affected our mental health or bombarded us with negative and fake news, most of us continued to use it. Whether talking to loved ones, seeking solidarity, getting the correct information, or spreading hope, we must constantly use social media to attain its benefits.
Pandemic or not, grab an eco-friendly candle to create some light and share the dark quotes below to let light persist in the darkest moments.
Darkness exists to make light truly count.
~ Ryan O'Neal
The darkest hour is just before the dawn.
~ Thomas Fuller
1 | Seery, M. D., Holman, E. A., & Silver, R. C. (2010). Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime adversity, vulnerability, and resilience. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(6), 1025–1041. |
2 | JUNG, C. G. (1982). Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 16: Practice of Psychotherapy on JSTOR. |