This quote delves into the complex and often conflicting nature of human emotion and internal struggle. The speaker reflects on their persistent memory of a woman, suggesting a deep attachment that transforms into a source of internal tension. The mention of a 'strange yearning' that arises in solitude points to a craving that is rooted not in genuine belief or devotion, but in shame and guilt. This distinction highlights the subtlety of human motivations—sometimes, our actions are powered not by true conviction but by feelings of inadequacy or the desire to escape accountability.

The comparison between the 'cleansing hunger of the devout' and the 'feverish hunger of the hypocrite' underscores a moral dichotomy. The devout seek purity through faith and intention, while the hypocrite's hunger is feverish—greedy, unhealthy, driven by hidden desires and duplicity. The speaker’s acknowledgment that they let her go 'every evening' because they cannot do otherwise reveals a sense of helplessness and internal conflict. It suggests the struggle to reconcile genuine feelings with the shame that keeps them in check.

Overall, the quote speaks to the universal human experience of internal contradictions—where desire, shame, morality, and guilt intertwine. It highlights how often our most profound feelings are tinged with self-judgment and how we grapple with suppressing or accepting aspects of ourselves that we find shameful. This reflection brings to light the haunting, often unspoken battles we face within, reminding us that inward struggles can sometimes be more intense than external conflicts.