Quotes With Meaning
It is no coincidence that precisely when things started going downhill with the gods, politics gained its bliss-making character. There would be no reason for objecting to this, since the gods, too were not exactly fair. But at least people saw temples instead of termite architecture. Bliss is drawing closer; it is no longer in the afterlife, it will come, though not momentarily, sooner or later in the here and now - in time.
It is no coincidence that precisely when things started going downhill with the gods, politics gained its bliss-making character. There would be no reason for objecting to this, since the gods, too were not exactly fair. But at least people saw temples instead of termite architecture. Bliss is drawing closer; it is no longer in the afterlife, it will come, though not momentarily, sooner or later in the here and now - in time.
This quote reflects on a shift in human values as belief in divine beings wanes and politics begins to fill that void. Jünger suggests that as faith in the gods falters, people turn to politics for their sense of happiness and fulfillment. He acknowledges that while the gods were not entirely just, they offered tangible symbols of faith, like temples, which were more reassuring than the chaos of modern life. The idea of bliss is redefined; it is no longer something reserved for an afterlife but something that can manifest in our current existence. This perspective encourages a mindset that seeks contentment in the present moment rather than waiting for external validation. Ultimately, it highlights a transition where human agency and governance become the new sources of meaning and happiness.