It seems that fighting is a game where everybody is the loser.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that true divinity is associated with suffering and fear, and that people's worship is often rooted in such experiences.
Zora Neale Hurston's quote explores the nature of divinity and worship, positing that the gods humanity reveres are often harsh and demand suffering as a form of homage. She argues that true understanding and wisdom arise from enduring pain and fear, implying that this duality is fundamental to human experience. In contrast, lesser deities are celebrated with more pleasant offerings like wine and flowers, indicating that real acknowledgment of higher powers comes at a cost, highlighted by the mention of blood, symbolizing sacrifice and the serious nature of reverence for the divine.
Themes
GodsSufferingFearWisdomWorship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a philosophical discussion about the nature of religion and its impact on society.
More from Zora Neale Hurston
All quotes →Lack of power and opportunity passes off too often for virtue.
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From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom…It was like a flute song forgotten in another existence and remembered again. What? How? Why? This singing she heard that had nothing to do with her ears. The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep.
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Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.
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Don't you realize that the sea is the home of water? All water is off on a journey unless it's in the sea, and it's homesick, and bound to make its way home someday.
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Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.
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