Thomas Carlyle

"Are we not Spirits, that are shaped into a body, into an Appearance; and that fade away again into air and Invisibility? Oh, Heaven, it is mysterious, it is awful to consider that we not only carry a future Ghost within us; but are, in very deed, Ghosts! These Limbs, whence had we them; this stormy Force; this life-blood with its burning Passion? They are dust and shadow; a Shadow-system gathered round our Me; wherein, through some moments or years, the Divine Essence is to be revealed in the Flesh."

3 likes

Source: Thomas Carlyle (1842). “Critical and Miscellaneous Essays: Collected and Republished”, p.123

About the author

Thomas Carlyle

Thomas Carlyle

Essayist, Historian, Novelist

Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish philosopher and historian known for his influential works on history and heroism, particularly 'On Heroes and Hero Worship.'

All quotes by Thomas Carlyle →

Same author

More quotes by Thomas Carlyle

See all →
Thomas Carlyle Essayist, Historian, Novelist

"Long stormy spring-time, wet contentious April, winter chilling the lap of very May; but at length the season of summer does come."

Read quote
Thomas Carlyle Essayist, Historian, Novelist

"No man lives without jostling and being jostled; in all ways he has to elbow himself through the world, giving and receiving offence."

Read quote