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The worm stood straight on God's blood-splattered threshold then and beat his drum, beat it again, and raised his throat: 'You've matched all well on earth, wine, women, bread, and song, but why, you Murderer, must you slay our children? Why?' God foamed with rage and raised his sword to pierce that throat, but his old copper sword, my lads, stuck at the bone. Then from his belt the worm drew his black-hilted sword, rushed up and slew that old decrepit god in heaven! And now, my gallant lads - I don't know when or how - that worm's god-slaying sword has fallen into my hands; I swear that from its topmost iron tip the blood still drips!

Nikos Kazantzakis#105

PowerMythPoliticsMythologyRebellionSymbolismViolence

About this quote

What does it mean?
A rebel worm kills a decaying god, seizing a blood‑stained sword, symbolizing rebellion against oppressive divinity.
In plain terms
A worm rebels and slays an old god, taking his weapon.
What can you take from it?
Challenge and overthrow oppressive authority.

Where it applies

  • political activism
  • art
  • personal empowerment

Putting it to work

  • question authority
  • use symbolic acts

Questions to consider

  • What does the worm represent?
  • When is rebellion justified?

Another view

Violent imagery may glorify destruction.

More from Nikos Kazantzakis

  1. Death's dry bones glowed with light in the erotic dark but he woke not nor felt the two warm bodies merge; the male worm then took heart and in his wife's ear …

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  2. The rosy mountain peaks laughed like high lustrous thoughts, and Helen, speechless, raised her pale hands toward the sun and joyed to feel its warm rays fallin…

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  3. A woman's body is a dark and monstrous mystery; between her supple thighs a heavy whirlpool swirls, two rivers crash, and woe to him who slips and falls!

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