Have no doubt it is fear in the land. For what can men do when so many have grown lawless? Who can enjoy the lovely land, who can enjoy the seventy years, and the sun that pours down on the earth, when there is fear in the heart? Who can walk quietly in the shadow of the jacarandas, when their beauty is grown to danger? Who can lie peacefully abed, while the darkness holds some secret? What lovers can lie sweetly under the stars, when menace grows with the measure of their seclusion?
The quote captures the pervasive sense of fear and lawlessness that affects individuals in the land. It questions how anyone can find joy or peace in the beauty around them, such as the jacaranda trees or the warmth of the sun, when their hearts are burdened by fear. The fear is so profound that it taints even the simplest pleasures, leaving people anxious and uneasy in their surroundings.
This reflection on the impact of fear highlights the struggle for security and tranquility in a world that seems increasingly dangerous. It emphasizes that even in moments of intimacy, such as lovers lying beneath the stars, the shadow of danger looms large, underscoring the tension between the beauty of life and the threats that disrupt its enjoyment.
