quote · Legacy record
But, God be thanked! there are moments, when Man, subdued by nature’s mightiest powers, Thinks even his purer self the sport of waves. In such like moments ’tis the Godhead shows us The distance ’twixt itself and us,—chastises Man’s vain audacity to equal it, And casts him back to nothingness and woe. In such like moments, even the wisest sinks Unto the dust: he, too, is formed of dust; But soon again he rises purified By Fate’s worst blast, and thus the Eternal’s will Declares and proves its own omnipotence.
But, God be thanked! there are moments, when Man, subdued by nature’s mightiest powers, Thinks even his purer self the sport of waves. In such like moments ’tis the Godhead shows us The distance ’twixt itself and us,—chastises Man’s vain audacity to equal it, And casts him back to nothingness and woe. In such like moments, even the wisest sinks Unto the dust: he, too, is formed of dust; But soon again he rises purified By Fate’s worst blast, and thus the Eternal’s will Declares and proves its own omnipotence.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Herder (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 677 · printed citation: Herder · subject: WOE
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.