Strange, that I came into the world with nothing, and now I am going away with this stupendous caravan of sin! Wherever I look, I see only God... I have sinned terribly, and I do not know what punishment awaits me.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the nature of life, sin, and the quest for understanding one's existence in relation to God.
Aurangzeb's quote contemplates the journey of life, beginning with nothing and culminating in a recognition of one's sins and the uncertainty of divine judgment. The mention of 'this stupendous caravan of sin' suggests a heavy burden of guilt while simultaneously acknowledging a profound connection to the divine as he perceives God in everything around him.
In practice
In a discussion on morality, one might quote Aurangzeb to emphasize the importance of self-reflection.
Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand-in-hand. It is because fear is at the basis of those two things. In this world we can now begin a little to understand things, and a little to master them by the help of science, which has forced its way step by step against the Christian religion, against the churches, and against the opposition of all the old precepts.
It doesn't matter how long my hair is or what colour my skin is or whether I'm a woman or a man.
There are sacraments of evil as well as of good about us, and we live and move to my belief in an unknown world, a place where there are caves and shadows and dwellers in twilight. It is possible that man may sometimes return on the track of evolution, and it is my belief that an awful lore is not yet dead.
Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.
Moral philosophy is nothing else but the science of what is good, and evil, in the conversation, and society of mankind. Good, and evil, are names that signify our appetites, and aversions; which in different tempers, customs, and doctrines of men, are different.
As I look back over the truly crucial events in my life I realize that they were not planned long in advance. Albert Einstein said, 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.