The wisdom to recognize and halt follows the know-how to pollute past rescue. The treaty's signed, but the cancer ticks in your bones. Until I'd murdered my father and fornicated my mother I wasn't wise enough to see I was Oedipus.
The speaker reflects on the profound connection between wisdom and understanding one's own destructive tendencies. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the potential for harm before it's too late, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and inner turmoil. The imagery of a signed treaty juxtaposes the ongoing struggle with personal demons, suggesting that external agreements can't always govern internal peace.
In a moment of deep self-realization, the speaker alludes to the Oedipus myth as a symbol of their own tragic awareness. This acknowledgment of familial conflict and personal guilt serves as a significant turning point in their journey. The admission of serious transgressions acts as a catalyst for gaining wisdom, underscoring the idea that true insight often comes through confronting painful truths about oneself and one's legacy.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
