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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 struggles toward deliverance and victory are inferior to the nature of divinity. Whatever it might be, we fight on without certainty, and our virtue, uncertain of any rewards, acquires a profound nobility.

Nikos Kazantzakis#84

StruggleFaithDivinityVirtue

About this quote

What does it mean?
The divine is unclear and may grow through our struggles; fighting without certainty gives virtue nobility.
In plain terms
Fight for what is right even without knowing the reward.
What can you take from it?
Striving without certainty gives virtue its true nobility.

Where it applies

  • spiritual crisis
  • ethical dilemmas
  • personal courage

Putting it to work

  • act without certainty
  • seek nobility in struggle

Questions to consider

  • How do you act without certainty?
  • Is struggle necessary for virtue?

Another view

It assumes suffering inherently increases virtue.

More from Nikos Kazantzakis

  1. 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 o…

    Permalink to quote #83
  2. God cries to my heart: 'Save me!' God cries to men, to animals, to plants, to matter: 'Save me!' Listen to your heart and follow him. Shatter your body and awa…

    Permalink to quote #85
  3. 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

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