You live in a deranged age, more deranged that usual, because in spite of great scientific and technological advances, man has not the faintest idea of who he is or what he is doing.
Walker PercyRead
Lord, grant that my work increase knowledge and help other men. Failing that, Lord, grant that it will not lead to man’s destruction. Failing that, Lord, grant that my article in Brain be published before the destruction takes place.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a desire for one's work to contribute positively to society, with a humorous recognition of the potential futility of this wish.
In this quote, Walker Percy expresses a multi-tiered plea to a higher power regarding the purpose and impact of his work. First, he hopes that his efforts will enhance knowledge and aid humanity; if that fails, he at least wishes for his work to avoid causing destruction; and if that too is not possible, he humorously settles for the simple desire to have his article published before any disaster occurs. This progression highlights both the noble aspirations and the practical concerns of a writer.
Themes
WorkKnowledgeDestructionArticleHumorImpact
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the responsibilities of writers and the impact of their work.
More from Walker Percy
All quotes →They all think any minute I'm going to commit suicide. What a joke. The truth of course is the exact opposite: suicide is the only thing that keeps me alive. Whenever everything else fails, all I have to do is consider suicide and in two seconds I'm as cheerful as a nitwit. But if I could not kill myself -- ah then, I would. I can do without nembutal or murder mysteries but not without suicide.
Walker PercyRead
It is possible, however, that the artist is both thin-skinned and prophetic and, like the canary lowered into the mine shaft to test the air, has caught a whiff of something lethal.
Walker PercyRead
Why is it that one can look at a lion or a planet or an owl or at someone's finger as long as one pleases, but looking into the eyes of another person is, if prolonged past a second, a perilous affair?
Walker PercyRead
We love those who know the worst of us and don't turn their faces away.
Walker PercyRead
Before, I wandered as a diversion. Now I wander seriously and sit and read as a diversion.
Walker PercyRead
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