
Source: Peace of Soul (1949), Ch. 6, p. 113
Plato, Phaedo
Source: Peace of Soul (1949), Ch. 6, p. 113
29a–b
Alternate translation: "To fear death, is nothing else but to believe ourselves to be wise, when we are not; and to fancy that we know what we do not know. In effect, no body knows death; no body can tell, but it may be the greatest benefit of mankind; and yet men are afraid of it, as if they knew certainly that it were the greatest of evils."
Plato, Apology
Reflecting on Beyond the Fringe for the book The Complete Beyond The Fringe (1987)
Dancing Nancies
Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
The First Revelation, Chapter 9
Context: Because of the Shewing I am not good but if I love God the better: and in as much as ye love God the better, it is more to you than to me. I say not this to them that be wise, for they wot it well; but I say it to you that be simple, for ease and comfort: for we are all one in comfort. For truly it was not shewed me that God loved me better than the least soul that is in grace; for I am certain that there be many that never had Shewing nor sight but of the common teaching of Holy Church, that love God better than I. For if I look singularly to myself, I am right nought; but in general I am, I hope, in oneness of charity with all mine even-Christians.
“You must not grieve so heavily.
Better are good than evil omens.”
The Tale of Taleisin
Context: You must not grieve so heavily.
Better are good than evil omens.
though I am weak and small,
Spumed with Dylan's wave,
I shall be better for you
Than three hundred shares of salmon.
Memoirs of J. Casanova de Seingalt (1894)