Man sets his hand to games of power and influence, he…
““Man sets his hand to games of power and influence, he quests for far horizons and wealth beyond imagining. He thinks to own what cannot be possessed. He hews the ancient trees to broaden his grazing lands; he mines the deep caves and topples the standing stones. He embraces a new faith with fervor and, perhaps, with sincerity. But he grows ever further from the old things. He can no longer hear the heartbeat of the earth, his mother. He cannot smell the change in the air; he cannot see what lies beyond the veil of shadows. Even his new god is formed in his own image, for do they not call him the son of man? By his own choice he is cut adrift from the ancient cycles of sun and moon, the ordered passing of the seasons. And without him, the Fair Folk dwindle and are nothing. They retreat and hide themselves, and are reduced to the clurichaun with his little ale jug; the brownie who steals the cow's milk at Samhain; the half-heard wailing of the banshee. They become no more than a memory in the mind of a frail old man; a tale told by a crazy old woman.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The pursuit of power and progress alienates humanity from nature and ancient traditions, leading to loss of connection and cultural memory.
In simple terms: Chasing power makes us forget the earth and old ways.
Key Takeaway
Balance ambition with reverence for nature.
Themes
environment
tradition
power
loss
spirituality
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
cautionary
mythic
When to use this quote
- Urban development
- industrial expansion
- cultural assimilation
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
Ecocriticism
mythology
modernity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modern ambition affect your relationship with nature?
- What traditions risk disappearing in the chase for wealth?
A Different Perspective
Progress can erase essential cultural and ecological ties.