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It is our duty to help liberate that God who is stifling in us, in mankind, in masses of people living in darkness. We must be ready at any moment to give up our lives for his sake. For life is not a goal; it is also an instrument, like death, like beauty, like virtue, like knowledge. Whose instrument? Of that God who fights for freedom. We are all one, we are all an imperiled essence. If at the far end of the world a spirit degenerates, it drags down our spirit into its own degradation. If one mind at the far end of the world sinks into idiocy, our own temples over-brim with darkness. For it is only One who struggles at the far end of earth and sky. One. And if He goes lost, it is we who must bear the responsibility. If He goes lost, then we go lost. This is why the salvation of the Universe is also our salvation, why solidarity among men is no longer a tenderhearted luxury but a deep necessity and self-preservation, as much a necessity as, in an army under fire, the salvation of your comrade-in-arms.

Nikos Kazantzakis#83

SpiritualityFreedomDutyHumanitySacrificeSolidarity

About this quote

What does it mean?
We have a moral duty to free the divine spirit within humanity, even at the cost of our lives. Life is an instrument for this freedom, and our collective fate is tied to the spiritual state of every individual.
In plain terms
We must fight for freedom and unity because everyone's spiritual health affects everyone else.
What can you take from it?
Sacrifice for the greater good and recognize our shared spiritual responsibility.

Where it applies

  • moral decision making
  • community building
  • spiritual practice

Putting it to work

  • advocate for justice
  • support collective welfare
  • engage in selfless service

Questions to consider

  • What duty do you owe to strangers?
  • How is your freedom connected to others?

Another view

It assumes a universal spiritual unity that may not align with all philosophical views.

More from Nikos Kazantzakis

  1. This is our epoch, good or bad, beautiful or ugly, rich or poor - we did not choose it. This is our epoch, the air we breathe, the mud given us, the bread, the…

    Permalink to quote #82
  2. The essence of our God is obscure. It ripens continuously; perhaps victory is strenghened with our every valorous deed, but perhaps even all these agonizing st…

    Permalink to quote #84
  3. Cries rise up on every side. Who shouts? It is we who shout - the living, the dead, and the unborn. But at once we are crushed by fear, and we fall silent. And…

    Permalink to quote #81

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