We come from a dark abyss, we end in a dark abyss, and we call the luminous interval life. As soon as we are born the return begins, at once the setting forth and the coming back; we die in every moment. Because of this many have cried out: The goal of life is death! But as soon as we are born we begin the struggle to create, to compose, to turn matter into life; we are born in every moment. Because of this many have cried out: The goal of ephemeral life is immortality! In the temporary living organism these two streams collide ... both opposing forces are holy. It is our duty, therefore, to grasp that vision which can embrace and harmonize these two enormous, timeless, and indestructible forces, and with this vision to modulate our thinking and our action.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Life is a brief luminous interval between darkness before and after, and we must reconcile the opposing forces of creation and mortality.
- In plain terms
- Life is a short bright moment between darkness, and we must balance creation and death.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek a vision that harmonizes creation and mortality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you balance creation with the awareness of death?
- What vision can unify opposing forces in your life?
Another view
The abstract language may be too vague for concrete guidance.
More from Nikos Kazantzakis
A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free.
Permalink to quote #12 With clarity and quiet, I look upon the world and say: All that I see, hear, taste, smell, and touch are the creations of my mind. The sun comes up and the sun…
Permalink to quote #14 By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.
Permalink to quote #11
Related quotes
La moitie de ma vie a mis l'autre au tombeau.
Pierre CorneillePierre Corneille quote #15 It was as though some stubborn god spent their time in an immutable and absurd balancing act between life and death, prosperity and poverty.
Simone De BeauvoirSimone De Beauvoir quote #27 Creating is living doubly.
Albert CamusAlbert Camus quote #119