There's a devil inside me which cries, 'You're not the son of the Carpenter, you're the son of King David! You are not a man, you are the Son of man whom Daniel prophesied.' And still more: 'The Son of God! And still more: God!'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker describes an inner conflict where a divine voice challenges their identity and purpose.
- In plain terms
- An inner voice questions my identity and purpose.
- What can you take from it?
- Self‑doubt can feel like a spiritual struggle.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we differentiate spiritual insight from anxiety?
- What role does inner dialogue play in growth?
Another view
The dramatic language may exaggerate ordinary insecurity.
More from Nikos Kazantzakis
The doors of heaven and hell are adjacent and identical.
Permalink to quote #3 God, what is all this talk put out by the popes? Paradise is here, my good man. God, give me no other paradise!
Permalink to quote #5 There is only one woman in the world. One woman, with many faces.
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
You are not a miserable and momentary body; behind your fleeting mask of clay, a thousand-year-old face lies in ambush. Your passions and your thoughts are old…
Nikos KazantzakisNikos Kazantzakis quote #44 'What the War Taught Me: There are two kinds of people in the world--those who think there are two kinds of people, and those who believe that there is one kin…
Rebecca BloodRebecca Blood quote #3 The symbol is the enemy of the reality, and the reality is ever one's true guide, true friend, true companion, and true self.
Irving FiskeIrving Fiske quote #4