It would have been more bearable, undoubtedly, if instead of the bitter lucidity that impregnated every action and thought, captain Alatriste had enjoyed the magnificent gifts of stupidity, fanaticism or malice. Because only the stupid, fanatics and rogues live without ghosts, or without remorse.
In "The King's Gold," Captain Alatriste grapples with a deep sense of clarity that weighs heavily on his mind. This acute awareness makes his actions and thoughts burdened with intensity, stripping him of the comfort that comes from ignorance or naïveté. The narrative suggests that such profound lucidity can be isolating, transforming life’s complexities into a series of painful realizations.
The text indicates that those who lack the burdens of awareness—stupid individuals, fanatics, or malicious people—are untroubled by their past decisions or moral dilemmas. They navigate life free from the shadows of remorse and guilt. This juxtaposition highlights the tragic nature of wisdom: while it can illuminate truths, it often brings a sense of sorrow that is absent from the lives of those who choose to remain oblivious.
