Man produces evil as a bee produces honey.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that evil is a natural byproduct of human existence, much like honey is a natural product of bees.
William Golding's quote emphasizes the idea that evil is inherent in human nature and is produced in much the same way that bees naturally create honey. This perspective prompts reflection on the duality of human existence and the moral complexities that arise from our actions and desires, suggesting that just as bees cannot help but produce honey, humans may also produce evil due to their inherent qualities or circumstances.
In practice
In a philosophical debate about morality, one might cite this quote to illustrate that evil is a part of human nature.
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.
Utopias are presented for our inspection as a critique of the human state.
Together, joined in effort by the burden, they staggered up the last steep of the mountain. Together, they chanted One! Two! Three! and crashed the log on to the great pile. Then they stepped back, laughing with triumphant pleasure.
You're in a bad way! Apparently, you have developed a soul.
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
That's what tyrants do, I guess. They make you covet their attention; they make you confuse attention for mercy.
People talk to people who perceive nothing, who have open eyes and see nothing; they shall talk to them and receive no answer; they shall adore those who have ears and hear nothing; they shall burn lamps for those who do not see.
You have no choice about your capacity to feel that something is good for you or evil, but what you will consider good or evil, what will give you joy or pain, what you will love or hate, desire or fear, depends on your standard of value.
One realized all sorts of things. The value of an illusion, for instance, and that the shadow can be more important than the substance. All sorts of things.
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