All art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity, and it really is about how do we get on with our maker.
I'm in awe of the universe, but I don't necessarily believe there's an intelligence or agent behind it. I do have a passion for the visual in religious rituals, though, even though they may be completely empty and bereft of substance. The incense is powerful and provocative, whether Buddhist or Catholic.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a sense of wonder about the universe while questioning the existence of a higher intelligence, emphasizing the significance of ritualistic visuals.
David Bowie expresses a deep admiration for the universe, showcasing his awe without committing to the belief in an intelligent creator. He appreciates the beauty and sensory impact of religious rituals, acknowledging their ability to evoke strong feelings despite recognizing them as potentially lacking true substance. This duality highlights the tension between the search for meaning and the appreciation of aesthetic experiences in spirituality.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about spirituality vs. science, this quote can exemplify a balanced perspective on belief.
More from David Bowie
All quotes →I guess, taking away all the theatrics or the costuming and the outer layers of what I do, I'm a writer... I write.
I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human.
Nothing prepared me for your smile
But I've got to think of myself as the luckiest guy. Robert Johnson only had one album's worth of work as his legacy. That's all that life allowed him.
I'm an early riser. I get up between five and six, have coffee, and read for a couple of hours before everyone else gets up.
Similar quotes
Not one atom can rest until it finds its freedom.
Our culture is so fixated on dying and going to heaven when the whole Scripture is about heaven coming to earth.
The cynic says, "One man can't do anything". I say, "Only one man can do anything."
Suffering is by no means a privilege, a sign of nobility, a reminder of God. Suffering is a fierce, bestial thing, commonplace, uncalled for, natural as air. It is intangible; no one can grasp it or fight against it; it dwells in time - is the same thing as time; if it comes in fits and starts, that is only so as to leave the sufferer more defenseless during the moments that follow, those long moments when one relives the last bout of torture and waits for the next.
Every individual of the community at large has an equal right to the protection of government.
...Genuine pathological openness is about as seductive as Tourette's Syndrome.