Canto X, lines 121–129 (tr. Mandelbaum).
The Divine Comedy (c. 1308–1321), Purgatorio
Context: O Christians, arrogant, exhausted, wretched,
Whose intellects are sick and cannot see,
Who place your confidence in backward steps,
Do you not know that we are worms and born
To form the angelic butterfly that soars,
Without defenses, to confront His judgment?
Why does your mind presume to flight when you
Are still like the imperfect grub, the worm
Before it has attained its final form?
Related quotes
Source: God doesn't believe in atheists (2002)
“We are no longer securing just computers - we are securing the society.”
Source: A talk at Slush 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9gnLKw8P0 November 2015
Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)
“Society just doesn't care about young people anymore, even if we are the future.”
Source: The Freedom Writers Diary