We ought not to extract pernicious honey from poison blossoms of misrepresentation and mendacious half-truth, to pamper the course appetite of bigotry and self-love.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Forth from his dark and lonely hiding-place, (Portentous sight!) the owlet Atheism, sailing on obscene wings athwart the noon, drops his blue-fringed lids, and holds them close, and hooting at the glorious sun in Heaven, cries out, ''Where is it?''
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the existential inquiry of atheism, questioning the existence of divinity amidst the beauty of nature.
In this quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the imagery of an owlet, often associated with darkness and night, represents atheism and skepticism towards the divine. The owlet's questioning of the sun, a symbol of truth and enlightenment, highlights a profound philosophical struggle between belief and disbelief, inviting contemplation on the nature of existence and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Themes
AtheismExistenceNaturePhilosophyBelief
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the existence of God, this quote can illustrate the conflict between faith and skepticism.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
All quotes βCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
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And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
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Often do the spirits stride on before the event; and in today already walks tomorrow.
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Mr. Lyell's system of geology is just half the truth, and no more. He affirms a great deal that is true, and he denies a great deal which is equally true; which is the general characteristic of all systems not embracing the whole truth.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
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