Philip: And When He Died All Mankind Died
Jesus, The Son of Man (1928)
Context: I too died. But in the depth of my oblivion I heard Him speak and say, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
And His voice sought my drowned spirit and I was brought back to the shore.
And I opened my eyes and I saw His white body hanging against the cloud, and His words that I had heard took the shape within me and became a new man. And I sorrowed no more.
Who would sorrow for a sea that is unveiling its face, or for a mountain that laughs in the sun?
Was it ever in the heart of man, when that heart was pierced, to say such words?
What other judge of men has released His judges? And did ever love challenge hate with power more certain of itself?
Was ever such a trumpet heard 'twixt heaven and earth?
Was it known before that the murdered had compassion on his murderers? Or that the meteor stayed his footsteps for the mole?
The seasons shall tire and the years grow old, ere they exhaust these words: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
“Who but a madman would grapple with mountains?”
Source: A Funeral for the Eyes of Fire (1975), Chapter 4, “Enlightenment: Down on the Edgegleam Plains” (p. 75)
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Michael Bishop 25
American writer 1945Related quotes
Stanza 56 (tr. Richard Fanshawe); spoken by Adamastor.
Epic poetry, Os Lusíadas (1572), Canto V
“I would like to metamorphose into a mouse-mountain.”
Protocols to the Experiments on Hashish, Opium and Mescaline http://www.wbenjamin.org/protocol1.html (1927-1934, English translation 1997)
“What kind of intelligent beings would evolve on a planet that is all mountains?”
“Stupid ones!” Casker said.
Untouched by Human Hands (p. 75)
Short fiction, Untouched by Human Hands (1954)
The Philosophical Emperor, a Political Experiment, or, The Progress of a False Position: (1841)
Context: To jump occasionally into the pit is common to all who visit the mountain, and to some who keep on the plain; but the madness to which I have alluded consists in rapid alternations from the mountain to the pit, annoying all persons who are forced, by friendship or consanguinity, to consort with the unfortunate maniacs. To remain permanently either on the pinnacle or in the abyss is deemed a species of the same disorder, though not so common.
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
Source: Confucius: The Analects
“Don't measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it.”
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”