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It is with a rush of home-sickness that the thought of…

“It is with a rush of home-sickness that the thought of death presents itself… Such sentiment is the eternal stock of all religions, modified indeed by changes of time and place, but indestructible, because its root is so deep in the earth of man's nature. The breath of religious initiators passes…” quote by Walter Pater
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“It is with a rush of home-sickness that the thought of death presents itself… Such sentiment is the eternal stock of all religions, modified indeed by changes of time and place, but indestructible, because its root is so deep in the earth of man's nature. The breath of religious initiators passes over them; a few "rise up with wings as eagles" [Isaiah 40:31], but the broad level of religious life is not permanently changed. Religious progress, like all purely spiritual progress, is confined to a few.”

Walter Pater

About This Quote

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

Religious sentiment about death is timeless, rooted deep in human nature, though its expression changes over time.

In simple terms: Death and religion are ancient, unchanging feelings.

Key Takeaway

Recognize enduring human concerns across eras.

Themes

mortality religion human nature

Mood

contemplative philosophical

Type

theoretical historical

When to use this quote

  • funeral rites
  • personal grief
  • cultural rituals
  • philosophical debates

Key Concepts

existentialism spirituality historical change

Questions to Reflect On

  • What modern forms express this ancient sentiment?
  • How does cultural context reshape religious views?
A Different Perspective

May overgeneralize across diverse faiths.

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