Altar Quote by Philip Pullman
““At Gabriel College there was a very holy object on the high altar of the Oratory, covered with a black velvet cloth... At the height of the invocation the Intercessor lifted the cloth to reveal in the dimness a glass dome inside which there was something too distant to see, until he pulled a string attached to a shutter above, letting a ray of sunlight through to strike the dome exactly. Then it became clear: a little thing like a weathervane, with four sails black on one side and white on the other, began to whirl around as the light struck it. It illustrated a moral lesson, the Intercessor explained, for the black of ignorance fled from the light, whereas the wisdom of white rushed to embrace it. { Alluding to William Crookes 's radiometer .}””
About This Quote
Source Novel: His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, 1995
A radiometer shows darkness retreats while light, symbolizing ignorance fleeing and wisdom embracing knowledge.
In simple terms: Light dispels ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Seek knowledge and let it guide you.
Themes
knowledge
light
ignorance
wisdom
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- education
- personal growth
- spiritual awakening
- overcoming prejudice
Key Concepts
radiometer metaphor
symbolic illustration
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “light” represent in your life?
- How can you confront your own “darkness”?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor simplifies complex learning processes and may ignore emotional aspects.
