Blood Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Bodies of holy men and women exude Miraculous oil, odour of violet. But under heavy loads of trampled clay Lie bodies of the vampires full of blood; Their shrouds are bloody and their lips are wet.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Second Coming" (1904) – collection The Collected Poems, 1933
Contrasting sacred purity with violent corruption, suggesting hidden darkness beneath holy appearances.
In simple terms: Holy and corrupt coexist; appearances can be deceiving.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond surface to see hidden truths.
Themes
spirituality
duality
corruption
perception
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- art analysis
- personal introspection
- social critique
Key Concepts
symbolism
dualism
moral ambiguity
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden darkness might you be overlooking?
- How do you reconcile sacred and profane in daily life?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the nuanced symbolism in favor of literal interpretation.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
