Jesuits Quote by Thomas Pynchon
““The simpler explanation,' Emerson with a distinct uvular component in his Sigh, 'may be that none of you people has ever known a moment of Transcendence in his life, nor would recognize one did it walk up and bit yese in the Arse,— and in the long sorry Silence, grows the suspicion that Jesuits are but the latest instance of a true Christian passion evaporated away, leaving no more than the usual hollow desires for Authority and mindless O-bedience.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “Gravity’s Rainbow”, 1973
He satirically suggests that modern people lack transcendent experiences, reducing spirituality to authority‑driven conformity and empty desires.
In simple terms: People have lost true spiritual moments, replaced by hollow authority.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic experiences beyond institutional doctrine.
Themes
spirituality
conformity
authority
existential doubt
modernity
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- academic study
- personal reflection
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
Satire
philosophical critique
cultural commentary
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel modern life suppresses transcendence?
- What practices could revive genuine spiritual moments?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize about contemporary spirituality, ignoring individual variance.
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![“...to lead an individual along a spiritual path consonant with the person's gifts and personality...[The Jesuit training of novitiates and lay students]” quote by John W. O'Malley S.J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/721/john-w-o-malley-s-j-102355_jesuits_to-lead-an-individual-along-a-spiritual_2139315.jpg)
