Glimpses do you seem to see of that mortally intolerable…
““Glimpses do you seem to see of that mortally intolerable truth; that all deep, earnest thinking is but the intrepid effort of the soul to keep the open independence of her sea; while the wildest winds of heaven and earth conspire to cast her on the treacherous, slavish shore? "But as in landlessness alone resides the highest truth, shoreless, indefinite as God -- so, better is it to perish in that howling infinite, than be ingloriously dashed upon the lee, even if that were safety! For worm-like, then, oh! who would craven crawl to land! Terrors of the terrible! is all this agony so vain? Take heart, take heart, O Bulkington! Bear thee grimly, demigod! Up from the spray of thy ocean-perishing -- straight up, leaps thy apotheosis!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote portrays the soul’s struggle to maintain freedom against overwhelming forces, suggesting that embracing boundless, chaotic existence is preferable to a safe but constrained life.
In simple terms: Freedom versus safety; the soul battles external chaos.
Key Takeaway
Embrace boundless risk over constrained safety.
Themes
freedom
existentialism
risk
spirituality
Mood
intense
reflective
dramatic
Type
literary
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- philosophical debate
- personal crisis
- spiritual awakening
Key Concepts
self-determination
cosmic insignificance
heroic struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true freedom mean to you?
- When is safety a virtue?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize danger, ignoring practical needs for stability and community.