In this quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin, the speaker is highlighting the contrast between themselves and the larger group or society they belong to. By stating "We comes from God," the speaker is suggesting that they are connected to a higher power or authority. On the other hand, the phrase "I from the Devil" implies a sense of separation or opposition to the conventional beliefs or values of the society. This quote can be interpreted as a reflection on individuality, rebellion, and the complexities of human nature.
"We comes from God, I from the Devil.” - Yevgeny Zamyatin
This quote reflects the complexity and contrasting nature of humanity, highlighting the internal struggles and conflicts that individuals may face within themselves.
In this quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin, the idea of duality and the battle between good and evil is highlighted. In today's society, the concept of morality and the struggle between right and wrong are still prevalent. With increasing moral dilemmas and ethical decisions that individuals face, this quote serves as a reminder of the constant battle between our inner angels and demons. It prompts us to reflect on our choices and actions, and the source from which they stem.
Reflecting on this quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin, consider the themes of good vs evil and the influence of external sources on individuals.
How do you interpret the idea of coming from God or from the Devil? Do you believe in inherent goodness or evil within individuals?
In what ways do external influences shape our beliefs, actions, and identities? How does society play a role in determining our sense of right and wrong?
Can a person's origins, whether perceived as divine or demonic, impact their behavior and choices in life? How does one's understanding of their background affect their worldview and values?
Do you agree with the sentiment expressed in the quote, or do you believe that individuals have the power to transcend their origins and forge their own paths? Discuss the implications of this perspective on concepts like free will and personal agency.
How might this quote influence your thoughts on moral responsibility and the complexities of human nature? In what ways does it challenge conventional notions of good and evil?
“In the ancient world, this was understood by the Christians, our only (if very imperfect) predecessors: Humility is a virtue, pride a vice; We comes from God, I from the Devil.”
“They do not need the sun. Who needs the sun when the eyes glow? Darkness. A woolen fog has wrapped the earth, has dropped a heavy curtain. From far away, from beyond the curtain, comes the sound of drops falling on stone. Far, far away - the autumn, people, tomorrow. ("The North")”
“O, mighty, divinely delimited wisdom of walls, boundaries! I is perhaps the most magnificent of all inventions. Man ceased to be a wild animal only when he build the first wall. Men ceased to be a wild man only when we built the Green Wall, only when, by means of that wall, we isolated our perfect machine world from the irrational, ugly world of trees, birds, and animals...”
“So here I am in step with everyone now, and yet I'm still separate from everyone. I am still trembling all over from the agitation I endured, like a bridge after an ancient train has rumbled over it. I am aware of myself. And, of course, the only things that are aware of themselves and conscious of their individuality are irritated eyes, cut fingers, sore teeth. A healthy eye, finger, tooth might as well not even be there. Isn't it clear that individual consciousness is just sickness?”
“From a distance a metronome is ticking through the fog, and I mechanically chew to the familiar caress of its music, counting, along with everyone else, up to fifty: fifty statutory chews for each mouthful. And, still mechanically beating out the time, I go downstairs, and, like everyone else, check off my name in the book as one leaving the premises. But I sense that I'm living separately from everyone else, alone, surrounded by a soft, soundproof wall, and that my world is on my side of this wall.”
“Paradise,’ he began, and the p meant a spray. ‘The old legend about Paradise—that was about us, about right now. Yes! Just think about it. Those two in Paradise, they were offered a choice: happiness without freedom, or freedom without happiness, nothing else. Those idiots chose freedom. And then what? Then for centuries they were homesick for the chains. That’s why the world was so miserable, see? They missed the chains. For ages! And we were the first to hit on the way to get back to happiness. No, wait ... listen to me. The ancient God and us, side by side, at the same table. Yes! We helped God finally overcome the Devil—because that’s who it was that pushed people to break the commandment and taste freedom and be ruined. It was him, the wily serpent. But we gave him a boot to the head! Crack! And it was all over: Paradise was back. And we’re simple and innocent again, like Adam and Eve. None of those complications about good and evil: Everything is very simple, childishly simple —Paradise! The Benefactor, the Machine, the Cube, the Gas Bell, the Guardians: All those things represent good, all that is sublime, splendid, noble, elevated, crystal pure. Because that is what protects our nonfreedom, which is to say, our happiness.”