Were not the gods forms created like me and you, mortal, transient?
Interpretation
The quote questions the divine nature of gods, suggesting they share the same mortal and transient qualities as humans.
Hermann Hesse's quote reflects on the nature of divinity and humanity, proposing that the gods, traditionally viewed as eternal and unchangeable, might in fact be created beings subject to the same mortality and impermanence as humans. This perspective invites a reevaluation of the relationship between gods and mortals, emphasizing a shared vulnerability rather than a strict hierarchy.
In practice
During a philosophy class discussing the nature of divinity.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged β to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep.
Coincidences are spiritual puns.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.
I hold the most archaic values on earth ... the fertility of the soul, the magic of the animals, the power-vision in solitude.... the love and ecstasy of the dance, the common work of the tribe.
he wanted people to like his mind again-after awhile it might be such a nice place in which to live.
The beautiful came to this city [Hollywood] in huge pathetic herds, to suffer, to be humiliated, to see the powerful currency of their beauty devalued like the Russian ruble or Argentine peso;to work as bellhops, as bar hostesses, as garbage collectors, as maids. The city was a cliff and they were its stampeding lemmings. At the foot of the cliff was the valley of the broken dolls.
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