Children Quote by Georges Bataille
““The road to the kingdom of childhood, governed by ingenuousness and innocence, is thus regained in the horror of atonement. The purity of love is regained in its intimate truth which, as I said, is that of death. Death and the instant of divine intoxication merge when they both oppose those intentions of Good which are based on rational calculation. And death indicates the instant which, in so far as it is instantaneous, renounces the calculated quest for survival. The instant of the new individual being depended on the death of other beings. Had they not died there would have been no room for new ones. Reproduction and death condition the immortal renewal of life; they condition the instant which is always new. That is why we can only have a tragic view of the enchantment of life, but that is also why tragedy is the symbol of enchantment.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Accursed Share, Georges Bataille, 1949
The quote explores how death, sacrifice, and the loss of innocence are essential for renewal, linking love, tragedy, and the enchantment of life as interdependent forces.
In simple terms: Death and sacrifice enable renewal and give life its tragic beauty.
Embrace sacrifice as a path to renewal.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- spiritual contemplation
- artistic creation
- ethical decision making
- personal growth
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sacrifice shape personal identity?
- Can renewal occur without loss?
The view may overlook the value of preserving life and minimizing suffering.