Cases Quote by Flannery O'Connor
“St. Cyril of Jerusalem, in instructing catechumens, wrote: “The dragon sits by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest he devour you. We go to the Father of Souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.” No matter what form the dragon may take, it is of this mysterious passage past him, or into his jaws, that stories of any depth will always be concerned to tell, and this being the case, it requires considerable courage at any time, in any country, not to turn away from the storyteller.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Catechetical Instruction, 4th century
The dragon symbolizes dangerous challenges on life's journey; confronting it requires courage and honesty.
In simple terms: Face dangers head‑on, don’t avoid truth.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the hard truth, tell the story.
Themes
courage
truth
spiritual journey
Mood
solemn
inspirational
Type
spiritual
literary
When to use this quote
- religious teaching
- personal growth
- storytelling
- overcoming fear
Key Concepts
mythic archetype
moral testing
Questions to Reflect On
- What dragons are you avoiding?
- How can confronting them deepen your story?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding the dragon leads to stagnation and loss of depth.
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