We know all their gods; they ignore ours. What they call our sins are our gods, and what they call their gods, we name otherwise.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the subjective nature of belief and morality, suggesting different cultures interpret gods and sins in diverse ways.
Natalie Clifford Barney's quote delves into the complexities of how different societies conceptualize divinity and morality. It highlights that what one culture perceives as sinful may be revered by another as sacred, indicating that our understanding of gods and sins is deeply rooted in our cultural contexts. It thus calls attention to the relativity of values and beliefs, implying that there is no absolute truth in notions of good and evil across different societies.
In practice
A speaker at an interfaith dialogue could use this quote to illustrate the need for understanding diverse belief systems.
To hear two American men congratulating each other on being heterosexual is one of the most chilling experiences - and unique to the United States. You don't hear two Italians sitting around complimenting each other because they actually like to go to bed with women. The American is hysterical about his manhood.
As for oblivion, well, we can wait a little while for that.
Self-examination - when the whole world around you is pressuring that and challenging you - is very, very hard. Looking at a whole structure - in my case, let us say of snobbery, basking in certain privileges, marks of what appear to be superiority - that's ugly to look at.
but their eyes were as cold blue glass buttons.
'Star Trek' episodes always insisted that humanity is on its bumpy way to what will be a glorious future in the 23rd century, in which we will have left most of our old selfishness - and old hatreds and prejudices - far behind us.
To be able to rise from the earth; to be able, from a station in outer space, to see the relationship of the planet earth to other planets; to be able to contemplate the billions of factors in precise and beautiful combination that make human existence possible; to be able to dwell on an encounter of the human brain and spirit with the universe
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