That is a famous quote attributed to Plato, but it is actually from Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, a Roman Stoic philosopher who lived from 4 BC to 65 AD.

The quote is often interpreted as a criticism of people who are afraid to face the truth or to embrace change. The darkness in the quote can represent ignorance, fear, or uncertainty. The light can represent knowledge, understanding, or courage.

The quote suggests that it is more understandable for a child to be afraid of the dark, because they do not know what is in it. However, it is a tragedy when adults are afraid of the light, because they should know better.

The quote can also be interpreted as a call to action. It suggests that we should not be afraid to face the challenges of life, but should instead embrace them as opportunities for growth and learning.

Here are some other ways to interpret the quote:

We should not be afraid to challenge our beliefs and assumptions.

We should not be afraid to ask questions and seek out new knowledge.

We should not be afraid to take risks and step outside of our comfort zone.

We should not be afraid to be different.

The quote is a reminder that we should not let fear hold us back from living our lives to the fullest. We should embrace the light and all that it has to offer.