Birth Quote by Malcolm Muggeridge
“When the devil makes his offer (always open incidentally) of the kingdoms of the earth, it is the bordellos which glow so alluringly to most of us, not the banks and the counting-houses and the snow-swept corridors of power . . . Sex is the mysticism of a materialistic society - in the beginning was the Flesh, and the Flesh became Word; with its own mysteries - this is my birth pill; swallow it in remembrance of me! - and its own sacred texts and scriptures - the erotica which fall like black atomic rain on the just and unjust alike, drenching us, stupefying us. To be carnally minded is life!”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Devil’s Offer", 1965
Materialism tempts with sensual pleasures, distracting from deeper spiritual truths; eroticism is portrayed as a modern sacrament.
In simple terms: Materialism distracts with sensual allure.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond material temptations.
Themes
materialism
spirituality
eroticism
societal critique
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- consumer culture
- personal spirituality
- artistic expression
- social critique
Key Concepts
dualism
symbolism
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do sensual desires shape moral choices?
- Can spirituality coexist with material success?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize suffering and ignore practical realities.
