In "Blood Meridian," Cormac McCarthy explores the fragile nature of human agreements and the inherent instability of societal laws. The quote reflects a bleak outlook on the human condition, suggesting that beyond moral and societal judgments, commitments and promises lack true strength. In this lawless environment, where violence reigns, any semblance of trust or cooperation easily disintegrates, revealing the futility of covenants in the face of human brutality.

This statement emphasizes a world governed by chaos rather than order, where the complexities of morality are stripped away. In such a setting, individuals are driven by primal instincts, rendering formal contracts and agreements meaningless. McCarthy's narrative illustrates how, once removed from societal expectations, people revert to their basest impulses, highlighting the darkness that underlies human nature.