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About this quote

What does it mean?
The soul struggles against the mind, leaving behind pride to fight a spiritual war against God.
In plain terms
The mind was defeated by leaving pride behind, but now the wars with God begin.
What can you take from it?
Spiritual maturity begins when internal pride is overcome and divine challenges arise.

Where it applies

  • religious study
  • personal crisis
  • moral reflection

Putting it to work

  • practicing humility
  • engaging in faith

Questions to consider

  • When does pride block growth?
  • How do you fight your inner wars?

Another view

The religious framing may not resonate with non-theistic audiences.

More from William Butler Yeats

  1. Whence had they come, The hand and lash that beat down frigid Rome? What sacred drama through her body heaved When world-transforming Charlemagne was conceived…

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  2. All perform their tragic play, There struts Hamlet, there is Lear, That's Ophelia, that Cordelia.

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  3. I pray-for word is out And prayer comes round again- That I may seem, though I die old, A foolish, passionate man.

    Permalink to quote #149

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