Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that just as caterpillars selectively choose the best leaves for their offspring, priests sometimes target the most beautiful aspects of life for condemnation.
William Blake's quote draws a parallel between the natural instinct of a caterpillar selecting the finest leaves for laying eggs and the tendency of priests to cast curses on the most cherished joys in life. This implies a critical view of how spiritual authority can often distort or overshadow life's greatest pleasures, suggesting a conflict between natural beauty and religious condemnation. It speaks to the irony of how things that bring joy can be met with disapproval or negativity, emphasizing the juxtaposition between nature's bounty and societal or religious judgment.
Themes
CaterpillarPriestJoysCurseNatureReligion
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon about finding joy in life, this quote could be used to illustrate how sometimes joy is unfairly criticized.
More from William Blake
All quotes βIn seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
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O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
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Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
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He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
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Let every Christian, as much as in him lies, engage himself openly and publicly, before all the World, in some mental pursuit for the Building up of Jerusalem.
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