We return to face our superiors, our kindred, our…
““We return to face our superiors, our kindred, our friends--- those whom we obey, and those whom we love; but even they who have neither, the most free, lonely, irresponsible and bereft of ties, --- even those for whom home holds no dear face, no familiar voice, --- even they have to meet the spirit that dwells within the land, under its sky, in its air, in its valleys, and on its rises, in its fields, in its waters and its tress--- a mute friend, judge, and inspirer. Say what you like, to get its joy, to breathe its peace, to face its truth, one must return with a clear conscience. All this may seem to you sheer sentimentalism; and indeed very few of us have the will or capacity to look consciously under the surface of familiar emotions. There are the girls we love, the men we look up to, the tenderness, the friendships, the opportunities, the pleasures! But the fact remains that you must touch your reward with clean hands, lest it turn to dead leaves, to thorns, in your grasp.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage urges confronting all relationships and the inner spirit of the land with honesty, lest rewards become corrupted.
In simple terms: Face everything honestly to keep rewards pure.
Key Takeaway
Act with integrity.
Themes
honesty
spirituality
relationships
integrity
Mood
contemplative
solemn
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- environmental connection
- social duty
Key Concepts
existential reflection
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your actions stay pure?
- What inner spirits guide you?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting inner truth leads to decay.