Yet half the beast is the great god Pan, To laugh, as he…
“Yet half the beast is the great god Pan, To laugh, as he sits by the river, Making a poet out of a man. The true gods sigh for the cost and the pain-- For the reed that grows never more again As a reed with the reeds of the river.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The divine and wild nature of humanity creates both joy and suffering, like a river’s reed that cannot grow again.
In simple terms: Humanity is both godlike and suffering.
Key Takeaway
Accept the duality of joy and pain.
Themes
nature
duality
humanity
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- personal reflection
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
mythology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance joy and pain?
- What does the river symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on the divine may ignore necessary suffering.