The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear.

Sometimes one feels that it would be merciful to tear down these houses, for they must often dream.

Searchers after horror haunt strange, far places.

If I am mad, it is mercy! May the gods pity the man who in his callousness can remain sane to the hideous end!

In relating the circumstances which have led to my confinement within this refuge for the demented, I am aware that my present position will create a natural doubt of the authenticity of my narrative.

Ultimate horror often paralyses memory in a merciful way.

Bunch together a group of people deliberately chosen for strong religious feelings, and you have a practical guarantee of dark morbidities expressed in crime, perversion, and insanity.