"The best translations cannot convey to us the strength and exquisite delicacy of thought in its native garb, and he to whom such books are shut flounders about in outer darkness"

In this quote, Edwin Booth underscores the intrinsic restrictions of translation in conveying the full depth and nuance of an original text. Booth suggests that the true essence of a work-- the "strength and splendid delicacy of thought" it holds-- can just be totally valued in its initial language, explained here as its "native garb."

Translations, while valuable in making literature available to a broader audience, often struggle to encapsulate the subtleties and complex charm consisted of in the initial phrasing. Language is deeply tied to the culture, context, and idiomatic expressions, which can be almost difficult to reproduce accurately in another language. Cubicle implies that when a book is translated, something intangible yet important is undoubtedly lost at the same time-- a loss of richness in the tapestry of ideas that the original language vividly presents.

Moreover, the quote assesses the predicament of those who can not access these original works due to language barriers, metaphorically referred to as "floundering about in external darkness". This images stimulates a sense of wandering aimlessly without assistance or comprehension, suggesting an extensive disconnect from the real essence of the author's message. Those who rely solely on translations may only receive a shadow of the work, never totally comprehending its complexities and psychological subtleties.