We have a disharmony in our natures. We cannot live together without injuring each other.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the inherent conflict in human nature and the inevitability of harm in relationships.
William Golding's quote highlights the fundamental discord that exists within human beings, suggesting that our coexistence is marked by the tendency to cause injury to one another. It speaks to the darker aspects of human relationships, emphasizing that even in our attempts to live together peacefully, there is an underlying conflict that results in harm. This disharmony suggests that true unity may be an elusive goal due to our intrinsic nature.
In practice
In a discussion about human relationships, this quote can emphasize the struggles we face in maintaining harmony.
Consider a man riding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at some point he will stop and get off. Most important of all, we know that if at any point between the beginning and the end of his journey he stops moving and does not get off the bicycle he will fall off it. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing, and I think of any society of living things.
The skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won't tell.
Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement. You, Simon? You believe in this? I don't know, said Simon. His heartbeats were choking him. [...] Ralph shouted. Hear him! He's got the conch! What I mean is . . . maybe it's only us. Nuts! That was from Piggy, shocked out of decorum.
The mask was a thing on it's own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-conciousness.
Man produces evil as a bee produces honey.
Utopias are presented for our inspection as a critique of the human state.
What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He βwent about doing good.β As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours.
Our world hangs like a magnificent jewel in the vastness of space. Every one of us is a part of that jewel. A facet of that jewel. And in the perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal.
The aim of all struggles for liberty is to keep in bounds the armed defenders of peace, the governors and their constables. The political concept of the individual's freedom means: freedom from arbitrary action on the part of the police power.
The 'working poor,' as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society.
Therefore, if God existed, only in one way could he serve human liberty - by ceasing to exist.
For me Christ was not to be bought for thirty pieces of silver but with my heart's blood. We buy not cheap in this market.
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