Man's vanity may well approach the infinite in capacity but his knowledge remains imperfect and howevermuch he comes to value his judgments ultimately he must submit them before a higher court. Here there can be no special pleading. Here are considerations of equity and rectitude and moral right rendered void and without warrant and here are the views of the litigants despised. Decisions of life and death, of what shall be and what shall not, beggar all question of right. In elections of these magnitudes are all lesser ones subsumed, moral, spiritual, natural.
by Cormac McCarthy
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The quote from Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" reflects on the profound limitations of human knowledge and judgment. It suggests that, despite humanity's tendency towards vanity and self-importance, our understanding is ultimately flawed. No matter how much value we place on our own decisions, there comes a point where we must recognize a higher authority that transcends individual perspectives. This realization diminishes the validity of subjective arguments and personal interests when faced with ultimate truths.

The passage emphasizes the gravity of decisions that impact life and death, suggesting that such monumental choices cannot be reduced to mere rights or personal beliefs. Instead, these decisions carry a weight that supersedes all lesser moral considerations, highlighting the stark reality of justice and existence. In the face of such profound matters, individual opinions and moral judgments hold little significance, underscoring a broader existential truth about the human condition and the search for meaning.

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March 29, 2025

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