---
title: "In the beginning the Gods made man, and fashioned the sky and the sea… — James Branch Cabell Quote #9 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "In the beginning the Gods made man, and fashioned the sky and the sea, And the earth's fair face for man's dwelling-place, and this was the Gods' dec… — a quote by James Branch Cabell."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # In the beginning the Gods made man, and fashioned the sky and the sea, And the earth's fair face for man's dwelling-place, and this was the Gods' decree: - 'Lo, We have given to man five wits: he discerneth folly and sin; He is swift to deride all the world outside, and blind to the world within: So that man may make sport and amuse Us, in battling for phrases or pelf, Now that each may know what forebodeth woe to his neighbor, and not to himself.'

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## More from James Branch Cabell

1. > The Terrible and Marvellous History of Manuel Pig-Tender That Afterwards Was Named Manuel the Redeemer.

[Permalink to quote \#8](https://quotesby.net/James-Branch-Cabell/8/ "Permalink to quote 8")
2. > For this is the song of the double-soul, distortedly two in one, - Of the wearied eyes that still behold the fruit ere the seed be sown, And derive affright fo…

[Permalink to quote \#10](https://quotesby.net/James-Branch-Cabell/10/ "Permalink to quote 10")
3. > Sad hours and glad hours, and all hours, pass over; One thing unshaken stays: Life, that hath Death for spouse, hath Chance for lover; Whereby decays Each thin…

[Permalink to quote \#7](https://quotesby.net/James-Branch-Cabell/7/ "Permalink to quote 7")

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