Books Quote by G. Willow Wilson
““Superstition is thriving. Pedantry is thriving. Sectarianism is thriving. Belief is dying out. To most of your people the jinn are paranoid fantasies who run around causing epilepsy and mental illness. Find me someone to whom the hidden folk are simply real, as described in the Books. You’ll be searching a long time. Wonder and awe have gone out of your religions. You are prepared to accept the irrational, but not the transcendent. And that, cousin, is why I can’t help you.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson, 2019
The quote laments modern society’s loss of wonder and openness to the transcendent, replacing belief with fear and rigid rationalism.
In simple terms: People have stopped believing in the mysterious and accept only the rational.
Key Takeaway
Reignite curiosity about the unseen.
Themes
wonder
transcendence
belief
skepticism
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
commentary
When to use this quote
- religious study
- creative writing
- mental health awareness
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
mythology
faith
psychology
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance rational inquiry with openness to mystery?
- What role does awe play in personal growth?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the value of scientific skepticism in protecting against harmful superstitions.
![“[…] One night, five men from Nuweiba were travelling past the mountain, and one of them fell behind, and was separated from his companions. As the man – whom we will call Ahmed – wandered in the darkness, wondering where his friends had gone, a beautiful woman suddenly appeared out of the night…” quote by Robert W. Lebling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f10/robert-w-lebling-188508_beautiful-woman_one-night-five-men-from-nuweiba-were-tra_1194215.jpg)
