Wonder has no opposite; it springs up already doubled in itself, compounded of dread and desire at once, attraction and recoil, producing a thrill, the shudder of pleasure and of fear.
Marina WarnerRead
A society that doesn't know any longer how to observe every death with proper rituals, that does not know that death is not the end, but only part of the journey, has lost its way, has had the very heart of its humanity torn out.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the importance of rituals surrounding death and the understanding that it is part of a larger journey, emphasizing humanity's deeper connection to mortality.
Marina Warner's quote highlights a society's disconnection from the significance of death and mourning rituals, suggesting that when people forget how to honor and understand death, they lose a vital aspect of their humanity. It serves as a reminder that death should be viewed as a continuation rather than an end, and neglecting this perspective affects the moral and emotional fabric of society.
Themes
DeathRitualsHumanityJourneySociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a funeral service to emphasize the importance of honoring the deceased.
More from Marina Warner
All quotes →Similar quotes
The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.
Bertrand RussellRead
Will you not covet such power as this, and seek such throne as this, and be no more housewives, but queens? There is no putting by that crown; queens you must always be; queens to your lovers; queens to your husbands and sons; queens of higher mystery to the world beyond. . . . But alas! you are too often idle and careless queens, grasping at majesty in the least things, while you abdicate it in the greatest.
John RuskinRead
We adore chaos because we love to produce order.
M. C. EscherRead
He who does not at some time, with definite determination consent to the terribleness of life, or even exalt in it, never takes possession of the inexpressible fullness of the power of our existence.
Rainer Maria RilkeRead
The state is a force incarnate. Worse, it is the silly parading of force. It never seeks to prevail by persuasion. Whenever it thrusts its finger into anything it does so in the most unfriendly way. Its essence is command and compulsion.
Mikhail BakuninRead
Among human beings there is no greater banality than death. Second in order, because it is possible to die without being born, comes birth, and next comes marriage.
Friedrich NietzscheRead