I couldn't make any judgment on the Summa, except to say…
““I couldn't make any judgment on the Summa, except to say this: I read it for about twenty minutes every night before I go to bed. If my mother were to come in during this process and say, 'Turn off that light. It's late,' I with a lifted finger and broad bland beatific expression, would reply, 'On the contrary, I answer that the light, being eternal and limitless, cannot be turned off. Shut your eyes,' or some such thing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator treats reading a theological text as a nightly ritual, asserting its eternal presence despite external demands for rest.
In simple terms: Reading a spiritual work feels endless and unshuttable.
Key Takeaway
Embrace persistent contemplation.
Themes
faith
ritual
perseverance
inner conflict
Mood
contemplative
defiant
reflective
Type
aphilosophical
personal narrative
When to use this quote
- nighttime reading
- spiritual practice
- dealing with interruptions
- personal discipline
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance spiritual devotion with daily responsibilities?
- What limits, if any, should be placed on endless contemplation?
A Different Perspective
The claim of an infinite light may ignore practical needs for rest and health.