I cannot count the pebbles in the brook. Well hath He…
““I cannot count the pebbles in the brook. Well hath He spoken: "Swear not by thy head. Thou knowest not the hairs," though He, we read, writes that wild number in His own strange book. I cannot count the sands or search the seas, death cometh, and I leave so much untrod. Grant my immortal aureole, O my God, and I will name the leaves upon the trees, In heaven I shall stand on gold and glass, still brooding earth's arithmetic to spell; or see the fading of the fires of hell ere I have thanked my God for all the grass.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker reflects on humanity’s limited grasp of divine order, yearning for spiritual certainty amidst chaos.
In simple terms: Humanity struggles to understand divine plans.
Key Takeaway
Seek humility in the face of mystery.
Themes
faith
existence
uncertainty
spiritual yearning
Mood
contemplative
poetic
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- philosophical study
- contemplation
Key Concepts
theology
cosmic order
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “golden aureole” symbolize for you?
- How do you reconcile doubt with faith?
A Different Perspective
May be overly poetic, lacking practical guidance.