When he, whoever of the gods it was, had thus arranged in…
““When he, whoever of the gods it was, had thus arranged in order and resolved that chaotic mass, and reduced it, thus resolved, to cosmic parts, he first moulded the Earth into the form of a mighty ball so that it might be of like form on every side … And, that no region might be without its own forms of animate life, the stars and divine forms occupied the floor of heaven, the sea fell to the shining fishes for their home, Earth received the beasts, and the mobile air the birds … Then Man was born:… though all other animals are prone, and fix their gaze upon the earth, he gave to Man an uplifted face and bade him stand erect and turn his eyes to heaven.””
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 describes a deity organizing chaos into ordered cosmos, shaping Earth, assigning life to each realm, and granting humanity an upright posture to look upward.
In simple terms: God orders chaos, creates world, gives humans upright gaze toward heavens.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humanity’s unique perspective and purpose.
Themes
creation
order
humanity
cosmos
purpose
Mood
awe
inspirational
reflective
Type
philosophical
mythic
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- philosophical reflection
- education about art
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
mythology
cosmology
anthropocentrism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view of humanity shape our responsibilities?
- What does “upright gaze” symbolize for modern life?
A Different Perspective
Assumes divine agency; may not align with scientific cosmology.