Awe Quote by James Joyce
“A certain pride, a certain awe, withheld him from offering to God even one prayer at night, though he knew it was in God's power to take away his life while he slept and hurl his soul hellward ere he could beg for mercy.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
He feels too proud and fearful to pray, despite believing God could end his life at any moment.
In simple terms: Pride stops him from praying even when he fears death.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humility over pride.
Themes
pride
fear
faith
spirituality
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- nighttime contemplation
- personal crisis
- seeking forgiveness
- confronting mortality
Key Concepts
existential dread
divine power
human frailty
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you avoid seeking help out of pride?
- How does fear shape your spiritual practice?
A Different Perspective
His fear may be rationalized as humility, but it also isolates him.
