The average pagan, like the average agnostic, would merely…
““The average pagan, like the average agnostic, would merely say that he was content with himself, but so insolently self-satisfied, that there were many better and many worse ... This proper pride does not lift the heart like the tongue of trumpets; you cannot go glad in crimson and gold for this. On the other hand, this mild rationalist modesty does not cleanse the soul with fire and make it clear like crystal; it does not (like a strict and searching humility) make a man as a little child, who can sit at the feet of the grass. It does not make him look up and see marvels ... Thus it loses both the poetry of being proud and the poetry of being humble.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pride and modesty each have poetic value, but extremes lack true depth.
In simple terms: Both pride and humility can be empty.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between confidence and humility.
Themes
pride
humility
balance
poetry
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal growth
- art criticism
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existential
ethical
aesthetic
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you express confidence without arrogance?
- When does humility become self‑denial?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on either can cause arrogance or self-deprecation.