Themes
The heroic actions are performed by such as are oppressed by the meanness of their lives. As in thickest darkness the stars shine brightest.
— Henry David Thoreau
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Attributed to Thoreau, this says heroic deeds come from people weighed down by small, mean lives. Just as stars shine brightest in the thickest darkness, courage stands out against hardship. The darkness becomes the backdrop that makes bravery visible.
Context reviewed