10 - Gods and People

Summary

We already participate in the still rather imperfect life of the universe through morality, science and art. Religions are the abbreviated and popular forms of this participation; therein rests their sanctity.

– Ernest Renan, Dialogues 126–7 (in H. Peyre, Sagesse de Renan, 1968, 38)

He had awakened early, as he had planned. He climbed up to the roof, and the patient lamb was still where he had moored her the night before, drowsing near the scattering of grass that grew on the roof. She looked healthy; the gods would care about that.

He looked out over the city again, and all was calm and dark. Only his keen eyesight could discern the two-story buildings near the greater temples and the meandering streets leading down to the river. Because he was in a large city, however, some people could be seen beginning to go about their business, some with small oil lamps to light the way. He did not need a lamp; he only needed his knife.