God how I hate new countries: They are older than the old, more sophisticated, much more conceited, only young in a certain puerile vanity more like senility than anything.
D. H. LawrenceRead
I cannot be a materialist - but Oh, how is it possible that a God who speaks to all hearts can let Belgravia go laughing to a vicious luxury, and Whitechapel cursing to a filthy debauchery - such suffering, such dreadful suffering - and shall the short years of Christ's mission atone for it all?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote questions the disparity between wealth and suffering in society and reflects on the moral implications of a divine presence.
D. H. Lawrence expresses a deep philosophical concern regarding the existence of suffering alongside the concept of a benevolent God. He juxtaposes the opulence of Belgravia with the despair in Whitechapel, questioning how a God who communicates with humanity can allow such extremes of fortune and misfortune to exist simultaneously. The quote challenges the idea of materialism by highlighting the moral dilemmas presented by social inequality and the perceived silence of divinity in the face of human suffering.
Themes
SufferingInequalityPhilosophyGodSocietyMaterialismLuxuryDebauchery
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on social justice, one might use this quote to illustrate the moral concerns regarding wealth disparity.
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... he preferred his own madness, to the regular sanity. He rejoiced in his own madness, he was free. He did not want that old sanity of the world, which was become so repulsive. He rejoiced in the new-found world of his madness. It was so fresh and delicate and so satisfying.
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