Awful Quote by Russell Kirk
“Mine was not an Enlightened mind, I now was aware: it was a Gothic mind, medieval in its temper and structure. I did not love cold harmony and perfect regularity of organization; what I sought was variety, mystery, tradition, the venerable, the awful.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conservative Mind, 1953
He distinguishes a Gothic, medieval mindset from Enlightened rationality, valuing mystery and tradition over order.
In simple terms: He prefers mystery and tradition over strict order.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the value of tradition and complexity.
Themes
tradition
mystery
Gothic
Mood
philosophical
analytical
Type
cultural
historical
When to use this quote
- cultural preservation
- artistic expression
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Enlightenment
medievalism
aesthetic philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “Gothic mind” mean to you?
- How can tradition coexist with progress?
A Different Perspective
Modernity may overlook depth.
![“Men are put into this world, he [the enlightened conservative] realizes, to struggle, to suffer, to contend against the evil that is in their neighbors and in themselves, and to aspire toward the triumph of Love. They are put into this world to live like men, and to die like men. He seeks to…” quote by Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f1/russell-kirk-6909_love_men-are-put-into-this-world-he-the-enlig_208424.jpg)
