In Cormac McCarthy's "Outer Dark," the quote "Hard people make hard times" reflects the profound impact of human nature on our circumstances. It suggests that individuals with harsh, unyielding characteristics can create suffering and challenges for themselves and others around them. This theme resonates throughout the narrative, highlighting how cruelty and despair can shape the reality of the world we live in.

The speaker's sense of disillusionment is evident in the line about the meanness of humans and a longing for divine intervention. The imagery of God possibly abandoning the world underscores the idea that the moral failings of humanity can lead to an oppressive existence. McCarthy captures a bleak perspective on human relationships and societal conditions, provoking thought about the nature of good and evil.