Divinity Quote by Annie Dillard
““Divinity is not playful. The universe was not made in jest but in solemn, incomprehensible earnest. By a power that is unfathomably secret, and holy, and fleet. There is nothing to be done about it, but ignore it, or see. And then you walk fearlessly, eating what you must, growing wherever you can, like the monk on the road who knows precisely how vulnerable he is, who takes no comfort among death-forgetting men, and who carries his vision of vastness and might around in his tunic like a live coal which neither burns nor warms him, but with which he will not part.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Life of the World” by Annie Dillard, 1974
The quote suggests that divine reality is serious, mysterious, and beyond human control; acceptance leads to fearless living despite vulnerability.
In simple terms: Divine seriousness demands acceptance and fearless action.
Embrace the mystery, act without fear.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
- creative work
- adversity
- leadership
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance reverence for mystery with taking purposeful action?
- What does fearless living look like in your daily life?
It may overlook the need for active engagement with the world beyond passive acceptance.