Skip to content

You wished for me, Athenians; I am here. Do not question…

“You wished for me, Athenians; I am here. Do not question me, do not hurt me; I am the wish sprung from your heart, and if you wound me your heart will bleed for it. Your love made me. Do not take it away; for without love I am a temple forsaken by its god, where dark Alastor will enter. It was…” quote by Mary Renault
Download Open image
““You wished for me, Athenians; I am here. Do not question me, do not hurt me; I am the wish sprung from your heart, and if you wound me your heart will bleed for it. Your love made me. Do not take it away; for without love I am a temple forsaken by its god, where dark Alastor will enter. It was you, Athenians, who conjured me, a daimon whose food is love. Feed me, then, and I will clothe you with glory, and show you to yourselves in the image of your desire. I am hungry: feed me. It is too late to repent.””

Mary Renault

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A deity created by collective desire demands devotion, warning that neglecting the love that birthed it leads to ruin.

In simple terms: A god made of love must be fed, or it will bring destruction.

Key Takeaway

Honor and nurture the passions that give rise to power.

Themes

power divine desire consequences

Mood

cautionary reflective

Type

mythological political

When to use this quote

  • political leadership
  • public speaking
  • community building
  • rituals
  • cultural narratives

Key Concepts

mythology psychology political symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What passions drive your leadership?
  • How do you sustain the love that fuels your influence?
A Different Perspective

If the love that creates power fades, the power may become tyrannical.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Mary Renault

Explore all 89 Mary Renault quotes

More Desire quotes

Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes