MARSYAS: Beware! Easily trips the big word "dare." Each…
““MARSYAS: Beware! Easily trips the big word "dare." Each man's an Œdipus, that thinks He hath the four powers of the Sphinx, Will, Courage, Knowledge, Silence. Son, Even the adepts scarce win to one! The Thoughts—they fall like rotten fruits. But to destroy the power that makes These thoughts—thy Self? A man it takes To tear his soul up by the roots! This is the mandrake fable, boy!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage warns that overconfidence in one's abilities leads to downfall; true power requires humility and self‑knowledge.
In simple terms: Pride blinds; humility needed.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility before seeking power.
Themes
pride
humility
self‑knowledge
power
danger
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- spiritual practice
- creative work
Key Concepts
Sphinx myth
mandrake fable
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions about your abilities go unchecked?
- How can humility protect your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind you to real limits.