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Quote by John Steinbeck

“But this—this is a ladder to climb to the stars.” Lee’s eyes shone. “You can never lose that. It cuts the feet from under weakness and cowardliness and laziness.”

Book:East of Eden

Work

East of Eden

John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' is a profound and complex narrative that delves into the lives of the Joad family as they navigate the challenges of their time. The story is rich with symbolism and philosophical musings, offering a rich tapestry of human emotions and societal struggles. more

Author

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck was an American author renowned for his profound depiction of American society and the lives of farmers. His works often explore themes of poverty, social injustice, and human nature. Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962 for his significant contribution to American literature. more

“Don’t you see?” he cried. “The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’— that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.’ Don’t you see?” “Yes, I see. I do see. But you do not believe this is divine law. Why do you feel its importance?” “Ah!” said Lee. “I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time. I even anticipated your questions and I am well prepared. Any writing which has influenced the thinking and the lives of innumerable people is important. Now, there are many millions in their sects and churches who feel the order, ‘Do thou,’ and throw their weight into obedience. And there are millions more who feel predestination in ‘Thou shalt.’ Nothing they may do can interfere with what will be. But ‘Thou mayest’! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice. He can choose his course and fight it through and win.” Lee’s voice was a chant of triumph. Adam said, “Do you believe that, Lee?” “Yes, I do. Yes, I do. It is easy out of laziness, out of weakness, to throw oneself into the lap of deity, saying, ‘I couldn’t help it; the way was set.’ But think of the glory of the choice! That makes a man a man. A cat has no choice, a bee must make honey. There’s no godliness there. And do you know, those old gentlemen who were sliding gently down to death are too interested to die now?”

Timshel

Book:East of Eden

Source: East of Eden

“Adam looked up with sick weariness. His lips parted and failed and tried again. Then his lungs filled. He expelled the air and his lips combed the rushing sigh. His whispered word seemed to hang in the air: "Timshel!" His eyes closed and he slept.”

Last Words Timshel Adam Trask

Author:John Steinbeck

“La palabra hebrea, Timshel, o sea, “tú podrás”, permite escoger. Quizás sea la palabra más importante del mundo, pues da a entender que el camino está abierto y plantea este acuciante problema: si dice “tú podrás”, también es cierto que podría decir “tú no podrás”. ¿No lo comprende? (…) El “tú podrás” hace grande al hombre, lo pone al lado de los dioses, porque a pesar de su debilidad, de su cieno y de haber dado muerte a su hermano, todavía le queda la gran libertad de escoger. Puede escoger su camino, luchar para seguirlo y vencer. La voz de Lee era un himno triunfal. -¿Y usted lo cree? –preguntó Adam. -Sí, lo creo. Lo creo. Es muy fácil salir de la pereza y de la ociosidad y arrojarse en el regazo de la divinidad, diciendo “No puedo evitarlo; el destino estaba escrito”. ¡Pero imaginen la gloria que representa la facultad de escoger! Gracias a ella el hombre es hombre. Un gato no puede escoger, una abeja está obligada a hacer miel. (…) Entonces siento que soy un hombre. Y también que un hombre es algo muy importante, acaso más importante que una estrella. (...) Experimento un nuevo amor por ese resplandeciente instrumento que es el alma humana; es algo maravilloso y único en el universo, siempre atacada y jamás destruida, gracias a ese “tú podrás”.”

Libertad Destino Elección Timshel

Book:East of Eden

Source: East of Eden

“How hard can writing be? After all, most of the words are going to be 'and,' 'the,' and 'I,' and 'it,' and so on, and there's a huge number to choose from, so a lot of the work has been done for you.”