The quote from Alan Paton's "Cry, The Beloved Country" reflects the apprehension involved in addressing certain truths or realities. The character's hesitation to open whatever it is signifies the irreversible nature of confronting difficult issues. Once these matters are faced, they cannot be ignored or retracted, which can lead to profound changes in one's life.

This notion emphasizes the weight of decision-making and the potential consequences that come with seeking knowledge or enlightenment. Engaging with uncomfortable truths can spur progress, but it is also a source of anxiety because it commits one to a new understanding that cannot be undone.