Invictus
Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud;
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloodied but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how straight the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.
William Earnest Henley (1849 – 1903)
About Me
- CyberKitten
- I have a burning need to know stuff and I love asking awkward questions.
10 comments:
A favorite among US teenagers speaking at their high school commencement ceremonies. Very rarely heard anywhere else.
laughing boy said: A favorite among US teenagers speaking at their high school commencement ceremonies. Very rarely heard anywhere else.
Found it in the introduction of a new book that just arrived from Amazon. Thought it was pretty cool.
Speaking of new books, can you recommend a book or author (other than Dawkins) who you think presents a good case for atheism. Preferrably but not necessarily someone dead, since the latest crop of new atheists merely regurgitate the dead atheists arguments with less panache. Thanks.
Oh, and this.
And, from a perspective more complementary to Henley, there is Bertrand Russell's A Free Man's Worship.
laughing boy asked: Speaking of new books, can you recommend a book or author (other than Dawkins) who you think presents a good case for atheism.
I have no idea. I suggest you do a search on Amazon. I'm sure that there will be many to chose from.
I know how to find a book on a given subject; I wanted a personal recommendation from an avid reader. Thanks anyway.
laughing boy said: I know how to find a book on a given subject; I wanted a personal recommendation from an avid reader. Thanks anyway.
I am indeed an avid reader - just not of atheist literature. During the lifetime of this Blog (about 2 years now) I can only think of one book explicitly about atheism and that was by Julian Baggini. As to dead atheist authors I wouldn't know where to start [actually I prefer to read as up to date books as possible]. I don't classify authors by their beliefs nor am I concerned if a particular author believes in fairies or God - as long as their books are entertaining or informative then I'll read them.
That's what I couldn't give you a recommendation.
This poem is like a poetic definition of hubris. The one thing I like about the poem is that it points out that it is our ability to conquer adversity which makes us great. This is true.
But humility is also a large part of life. As many great things as you believe you’ve done and how many times you feel you’ve conquered adversity, how fortunate where you that when you had been almost broken (and we’ve all had these times) that more adversity didn’t await you.
Oh, we very much have control of our choices in life, but life around us can change in the blink of an eye without our provocation or within our control. No matter how great we are we are still nothing a heart attack, aneurism, stroke, murder, accident, or natural disaster can’t end now, immediatly and forever (as far as this life is concerned =)
sirkolgate said: This poem is like a poetic definition of hubris.
Not the way I read it.
sirkolgate said: The one thing I like about the poem is that it points out that it is our ability to conquer adversity which makes us great. This is true.
Agreed.
sirkolgate said: But humility is also a large part of life.
That I can't agree with you.
sirkolgate said: Oh, we very much have control of our choices in life, but life around us can change in the blink of an eye without our provocation or within our control.
Definitely. There is much about our existence that we have little control or influence over. What we can do is decide how exactly we are to face the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'. That's the whole point of the poem in my mind. Especially when he says:
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloodied but unbowed.
sirkolgate said: No matter how great we are we are still nothing a heart attack, aneurism, stroke, murder, accident, or natural disaster can’t end now, immediatly and forever.
That's exactly right. Which is why we all need a way of coping with these random events that impact on our lives.
CK looking back and revisiting the poem I think the message here is power.
I see this as hanging in the wall of a 'shark' lawyer’s or CEO's office, the type who value power over all. The ones who shake your hand and smile to your face, but you know better than turn your back.
It's just the overall tone. Even if I wasn't Christian if I sat to write a poem like this I'd include something about my wife, or maybe my family, friends or acquaintances.
This person did it all on their own, and you better take notice. The last two lines are proof enough of this.
I don’t like it, but that’s art. I can see why you do CK. It is a rousing piece.
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