Quote#God & Faith
A great many people think of religion as if it was a game that they…
Quote byJean Ingelow · 1820–1897
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Off the Skelligs: A Novel (1872), Ch. 12, p. 193..
English (original)
A great many people think of religion as if it was a game that they had to play with an August Opponent—a game at which both could not win, and yet they actually think they can play it unfairly. They want to cheat. But in that grand and awful game, it cannot be said that either wins unless both do.
— Jean Ingelow
More from Jean Ingelow
The while He sits whose name is Love, And waits, as Noah did, for the dove, To wit if she would fly to him.He waits for us, while, houseless things, We beat about with bruised wings On the dark floods and water-springs, The ruined world, …
But two are walking apart forever And wave their hands for a mute farewell.
Let me be only sure; for sooth to tell The sorest dole is doubt.
Is there never a chink in the world above Where they listen for words from below?
Crowds of bees are giddy with clover Crowds of grasshoppers skip at our feet, Crowds of larks at their matins hang over, Thanking the Lord for a life so sweet.
And sweeter woman ne'er drew breath Than my sonne's wife, Elizabeth.