The curse that came before history has laid on us all a…
““The curse that came before history has laid on us all a tendency to be weary of wonders. If we saw the sun for the first time it would be the most fearful and beautiful of meteors. Now that we see it for the hundredth time we call it, in the hideous and blasphemous phrase of Wordsworth, "the light of common day." We are inclined to increase our claims. We are inclined to demand six suns, to demand a blue sun, to demand a green sun. Humility is perpetually putting us back in the primal darkness. There all light is lightning, startling and instantaneous. Until we understand that original dark, in which we have neither sight nor expectation, we can give no hearty and childlike praise to the splendid sensationalism of things.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human tendency to become desensitized to wonder as familiarity grows, craving extraordinary beyond the ordinary.
In simple terms: We lose awe as things become routine, seeking ever more spectacular.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and rediscover childlike wonder.
Themes
humility
wonder
desensitization
human nature
perception
Mood
reflective
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- art appreciation
- science communication
- spiritual practice
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
aesthetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance appreciation of the familiar with the desire for novelty?
- What practices help maintain awe in daily life?
A Different Perspective
Even with humility, the desire for novelty can lead to endless dissatisfaction.