You call a tree a tree, he said, and you think nothing…
““You call a tree a tree, he said, and you think nothing more of the word. But it was not a 'tree' until someone gave it that name. You call a star a star, and say it is just a ball of matter moving on a mathematical course. But that is merely how you see it. By so naming things and describing them you are only inventing your own terms about them. And just as speech is invention about objects and ideas, so myth is invention about truth. We have come from God (continued Tolkien), and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming a 'sub-creator' and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Out myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbor, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of evil.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Names shape perception; myths are human attempts to grasp divine truth, guiding us toward meaning despite imperfections.
In simple terms: Naming creates reality; myths guide us toward truth.
Key Takeaway
Use stories to find purpose.
Themes
myth
creation
perception
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
symbolism
ontology
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your personal narratives shape your reality?
- Can myth coexist with scientific understanding?
A Different Perspective
Myths can mislead and foster false beliefs.