The quote reflects on the nature of suffering and the idea that hell is not an abstract future state but a present reality that individuals experience collectively. It suggests that people can either resign themselves to this hell by accepting it blindly or choose a more challenging path that requires awareness and effort. This second option involves recognizing and nurturing the positive elements amidst the suffering.

Calvino emphasizes the importance of discernment in a harsh environment, advocating for an active engagement with life that seeks out beauty and goodness even in darkness. This approach requires vigilance and a commitment to identifying and fostering those aspects that can bring hope and meaning to existence, thereby transforming one's experience of reality.