By necessity practical and by philosophy stern, these folk were not beautiful in their sins.

By necessity practical and by philosophy stern, these folk were not beautiful in their sins.

📖 H. P. Lovecraft

🌍 American  |  👨‍💼 Novelist

🎂 August 20, 1890  –  ⚰️ March 15, 1937
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This quote offers a contemplative look into the nature of individuals who are bound by practicality and a stern philosophical outlook. It suggests that such people, perhaps constrained by their worldview and moral rigidity, may lack the aesthetic or moral beauty that can be associated with grace, compassion, or understanding. In the context of horror stories, this could symbolize characters or entities that are driven by logic and strict principles, often at the expense of empathy or moral flexibility. Their 'sins'—which can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically—are not colorful or alluring because they are rooted in an unyielding, perhaps cold worldview. Such characters often serve as metaphors for the dangers of dogma and the failure to recognize the nuance in human nature. Overly pragmatic or stern characters may resist growth or change, fixed in their beliefs, which ultimately renders them less 'beautiful'—meaning less compassionate, less complex, or less human. The phrase invites reflection on the idea that moral rigidity, while seemingly noble or practical, can strip away the depth and beauty inherent in human fallibility and moral complexity. In the realm of horror, these characters often embody the unsettling truth that rigidity and lack of compassion can lead to despair, monstrosity, and moral decay. Recognizing the balance between stern principles and human kindness is essential; otherwise, their sins—or flaws—become purely superficial, devoid of depth and perhaps even tragic in their inescapable rigidity.

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August 02, 2025

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