It is an old story, that men sell themselves to the tempter, and sign a bond with their blood, because it is only to take effect at a distant day; then rush on to snatch the cup their souls thirst after with an impulse not the less savage because there is a dark shadow beside them forevermore. There is no short cut, no patent tram-road to wisdom: after all the centuries of invention, the soul's path lies through the thorny wilderness which must be still trodden in solitude, with bleeding feet, with sobs for help, as it was trodden by them of old time.
In George Eliot's "The Lifted Veil," the narrative reflects on the timeless struggle individuals face when tempted by desires that ultimately lead to their downfall. The passage conveys a sense of inevitability in human choices, where people often willingly engage in harmful acts, lured by the promise of immediate gratification. This bond with temptation, signed in blood, suggests a grave commitment to choices that may only reveal their consequences in the future.
Moreover, the text emphasizes the arduous journey towards wisdom, indicating that there are no easy paths or shortcuts. The pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment remains a solitary endeavor filled with challenges and suffering, reminding readers that wisdom must be earned through perseverance and personal sacrifice, much like those who came before us endured. The imagery of treading through a thorny wilderness further underscores the difficulties inherent in this quest for understanding.
