One power descends and wants to scatter, to come to a standstill, to die. The other power ascends and strives for freedom, for immortality. These two armies, the dark and the light, the armies of life and of death, collide eternally.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Two opposing forces, one seeking death and stasis, the other freedom and life, clash eternally within existence.
- In plain terms
- Life and death forces are always fighting each other.
- What can you take from it?
- Life is a constant struggle between opposing forces of death and freedom.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which force do you feel strongest?
- How do you fight for freedom?
Another view
It frames existence as purely adversarial.
More from Nikos Kazantzakis
All this world, all this rich, endless flow of appearances is not a deception, a multicolored phantasmagoria of our mirroring mind. Nor is it absolute reality …
Permalink to quote #86 Even the most humble insect and the most insignificant idea are the military encampments of God. Within them, all of God is arranged in fighting position for a…
Permalink to quote #88 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
Related quotes
She cast her eyes about her, longing for the earth to open up. Why not end it all? What was holding her back? She was free to act. And she moved forward. 'Do i…
Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert quote #59 It was close; but that's the way it is in war. You win or lose, live or die - and the difference is just an eyelash.
Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur quote #1 Give me my freedom for as long as I be All I ask of livin' is to have no chains on me All I ask of livin' is to have no chains on me And all I ask of dyin' is …
Laura NyroLaura Nyro quote #3