Only that man who has offered up himself entire to the blood of war, who has been to the floor of the pit and seen horror in the round and learned at least that it speaks to his inmost heart, only that man can dance.
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
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The quote from Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" suggests that true understanding of life and the ability to truly engage with it comes from experiencing profound suffering and violence. The passage indicates that only someone who has fully immersed themselves in the brutality of war and faced its darkest realities can gain a deeper appreciation for existence. This connection between pain and clarity highlights the transformative power of such harrowing experiences.

Moreover, the metaphor of dancing signifies a celebration of life that contrasts sharply with the horror referenced. It implies that those who have encountered the depths of despair can emerge with a unique perspective that allows them to embrace joy amidst suffering. The idea suggests that engaging with the harshest truths of the human condition can lead to a richer, more authentic experience of life.

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Other quotes in Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West

and bottles and they left
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
and bottles and they left
They were Diegueños. They were armed with short bows and they drew about the travelers and knelt and gave them water out of a gourd. They'd seen such pilgrims before and with sufferings more terrible. They eked a desperate living from that land and they knew that nothing excepting some savage pursuit could drive men to such plight and they watched each day for that thing to gather itself out of its terrible incubation in the house of the sun and muster along the edge of the eastern world and whether it be armies or plague or pestilence or something altogether unspeakable they waited with a strange equanimity.
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
They were Diegueños. They were armed with short bows and they drew about the travelers and knelt and gave them water out of a gourd. They'd seen such pilgrims before and with sufferings more terrible. They eked a desperate living from that land and they knew that nothing excepting some savage pursuit could drive men to such plight and they watched each day for that thing to gather itself out of its terrible incubation in the house of the sun and muster along the edge of the eastern world and whether it be armies or plague or pestilence or something altogether unspeakable they waited with a strange equanimity.
The writing says that whoever takes a sword to be lost by the sword, said the black. The judge smiled and his depiction shone from fat. Is there a sane person who would want it differently? asked. According to the writing, war is really bad, Irving said. But there are many bloody wars in writing. No matter what people think about war, the judge said. That doesn't matter to the war. As if we were to ask them what they think about the stone. There was always war. There was no man yet, but the war was waiting here on the ground. The supreme craft is his supreme master. It was always the case, and it would always be the case. Only so and never different.
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
The writing says that whoever takes a sword to be lost by the sword, said the black. The judge smiled and his depiction shone from fat. Is there a sane person who would want it differently? asked. According to the writing, war is really bad, Irving said. But there are many bloody wars in writing. No matter what people think about war, the judge said. That doesn't matter to the war. As if we were to ask them what they think about the stone. There was always war. There was no man yet, but the war was waiting here on the ground. The supreme craft is his supreme master. It was always the case, and it would always be the case. Only so and never different.
and they watched the fire which does contain within it something of men themselves inasmuch as they are less without it and are divided from their origins and are exiles. For
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
and they watched the fire which does contain within it something of men themselves inasmuch as they are less without it and are divided from their origins and are exiles. For
The earth fell away on every side equally in its arcature and by these limits were they circumscribed and of them were they locus.
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
The earth fell away on every side equally in its arcature and by these limits were they circumscribed and of them were they locus.
He never sleeps. He says that he will never die.
Cormac McCarthy Blood Meridian, or the...
He never sleeps. He says that he will never die.
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Other quotes in book quote

All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Edward Gorey Ascending Peculiarity:...
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
For me the curse is a crutch, but the con is everything.
Holly Black White Cat
For me the curse is a crutch, but the con is everything.
I don't have anything against God. Far from it. But I don't understand Him. And I don't trust a lot of the people that go around claiming that they're working in His best interests.
Jim Butcher Grave Peril
I don't have anything against God. Far from it. But I don't understand Him. And I don't trust a lot of the people that go around claiming that they're working in His best interests.
I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
Maria V. Snyder Magic Study
I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
Here's a nifty solution: Each couple that marries should take on an entirely new surname, chosen however they want as long as both agree to it, so that a day after the wedding, both husband and wife can hold hands and joyfully journey off to the municipal offices to change their passports, driver's licenses, signatures, initials, bank accounts, etc.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
Here's a nifty solution: Each couple that marries should take on an entirely new surname, chosen however they want as long as both agree to it, so that a day after the wedding, both husband and wife can hold hands and joyfully journey off to the municipal offices to change their passports, driver's licenses, signatures, initials, bank accounts, etc.
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
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