There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
The dripping blood our only drink, The bloody flesh our only food: In spite of which we like to think That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the paradox of finding goodness in suffering and sacrifice.
In this quote, T. S. Eliot highlights the irony of calling a day associated with suffering and sacrifice 'good.' He juxtaposes the imagery of blood and flesh with the notion of being 'sound, substantial,' suggesting that amidst our human struggles and vulnerabilities, we maintain a sense of normalcy and even celebrate certain traditions. This paradox invites contemplation on the nature of suffering, the meaning of goodness, and how we reconcile pain with hope.
Themes
SufferingGoodnessParadoxTraditionHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the significance of Good Friday, this quote can be used to express the complexity of its meaning.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
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I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
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If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
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For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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