“ Woman is but a combination of all the temptations scattered in the thin air, on the flowering earth, in the clear waters. Happy is he whose soul is a sealed vase! Happy is he who knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, and who knows nothing of the world, in order that he may know God! ”
Anatole France, Thaïs (1890). copy citation
| Author | Anatole France |
|---|---|
| Source | Thaïs |
| Topic | temptation God |
| Date | 1890 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Robert B. Douglas |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2078/2078-h/2078-h.htm |
Context
“For that reason, I cannot see a tuft of papyrus by the side of still waters without my soul being imbued with melancholy. All things that the senses perceive are detestable. The least grain of sand brings danger. Everything tempts us. Woman is but a combination of all the temptations scattered in the thin air, on the flowering earth, in the clear waters. Happy is he whose soul is a sealed vase! Happy is he who knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, and who knows nothing of the world, in order that he may know God!”
Zozimus, having meditated upon these words, replied as follows—
“Venerable father, it is fitting that I should avow my sins to thee, since thou hast shown me thy soul. Thus we shall confess to each other, according to the apostolic custom.”
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