Books Quote by Aleister Crowley
““Do you remember what it says in The Book of the Law ? 'I am the Snake that giveth Knowledge and Delight and bright glory, and stir the hearts of men with drunkenness. To worship me take wine and strange drugs whereof I will tell my prophet, and be drunk thereof! They shall not harm ye at all.'" "Yes," I said slowly, "and I thought it a bit daring; might tempt people to be foolhardy, don't you think?" "Of course," agreed Basil, "if you read it carelessly.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of the Law (fictional excerpt), 1904
The passage portrays a deity offering knowledge, delight, and intoxication through wine and drugs, warning that careless reading can lead to folly.
In simple terms: A god offers knowledge and pleasure through intoxicants, cautioning against careless interpretation.
Key Takeaway
Approach esoteric texts with caution and critical thinking.
Themes
mysticism
temptation
danger
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- spiritual exploration
- artistic creation
- academic study
- personal experimentation
Key Concepts
alchemy
psychology
ritual practice
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do readers have when engaging with provocative ideas?
- How can one discern symbolic meaning from literal instruction?
A Different Perspective
Such claims can be misused to justify harmful behavior.
