There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
Those who talk of the bible as a monument of English prose are merely admiring it as a monument over the grave of Christianity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that appreciating the Bible as literature overlooks its spiritual significance and impact.
T. S. Eliot's quote reflects on the tendency to treat the Bible merely as a literary achievement, representing a loss of its original spiritual context and meaning. By referring to it as a 'monument over the grave of Christianity,' Eliot warns against the danger of valuing the book solely for its prose while ignoring its religious and cultural importance, indicating a broader critique of how modern society perceives and engages with religious texts.
Themes
BibleLiteratureSpiritualityReligionChristianity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the relevance of literature in understanding religious texts.
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