Completely agree with this. I've flown over some areas that were so poorly illuminated that it all just looks like an endless sea of black. It's not possible to determine orientation using ground references when that happens.
Absolutely right and even with some lights on the ground it can be impossible to maintain orientation - a single point light source is an awful visual reference and can induce disorientation because of the way the human eye scans.
Try googling autokinesis.
Non NVG night flight is a visual/instrument balance in anything but bright, full moonlight or over a built up area.