The Pulley
The Pulley
God pours every blessing on humanity except rest, so that restlessness may drive us back to Him.
When God first created man, he stood by with a glass of blessings and said, "Let us pour out everything we can upon him. Let the world's riches, which are scattered everywhere, be gathered into a single span."12 So strength went first; then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honor, pleasure. When almost everything had been poured out, God stopped, seeing that of all his treasure only Rest still lay at the bottom. For if I gave this jewel to my creature, he said, he would adore my gifts instead of me, and rest in Nature rather than the God of Nature—so both of us would lose. Still, let him keep the rest—but keep them with restless discontent. Let him be rich and weary, so that at least, if goodness doesn't lead him, weariness may toss him onto my breast.
Read the original English
When God at first made man, Having a glasse of blessings standing by; Let us (said he) poure on him all we can: Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way; Then beautie flow'd, then wisdome, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone of all his treasure Rest in the bottome lay.
For if I should (said he) Bestow this jewell also on my creature, He would adore my gifts in stead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature, So both should losers be.
Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlesnesse: Let him be rich and wearie, that at least, If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse May tosse him to my breast.
Notes
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