Tag Archives: long

A person in my position is liable to see Sherlock Holmes in the most beefwitted policeman. I did not feel that I was advancing in the confidence of the Germans. I got no secrets worth reporting to London, and I was not at all sure whether the cut of my clothes had not outweighed the eloquence of my conversation. I thought I would do something more public. I wrote a long parody on the Declaration of Independence and applied it to Ireland.

Aleister Crowley, Confessions, Chapter 76

Hermetic quote Aleister Crowley Confessions Sherlock Holmes beefwitted policeman confidence Germans no secrets worth reporting London do public long parody declaration independence Ireland

The pleasure which escapes them changes itself for them into a long irritation and desire. The more murderous are their excesses, the more it seems to them that supreme happiness is at hand. … One more bumper of strong drink, one more spasm, one more violence done to Nature… Ah! at last, here is pleasure; here is life … and their desire, in the paroxysm of its insatiable hunger, extinguishes itself for ever in death.

Éliphas Lévi, trans Aleister Crowley, Liber XLVI The Key of the Mysteries

Hermetic quote Levi Crowley Liber XLVI The Keys of the Mysteries pleasure escapes irritation desire murderous excesses more drink spasm violence nature life paroxysm insatiable hunger extinguishes in death

It was a weary while before they raised him
Boy as he was, none dare disturb his grief.
And for his grief was strong, they loved and praised him
For son’s devotion to their dear dead chief.
Long, long he wept, nor brought with tears relief.
He knew the loss, the old head wise and grey
Well to assoil him of his spirit’s grief,
The twilight dangers of a boy’s dim way,
His dragons to confront, his minotaurs to slay.

Aleister Crowley, Why Jesus Wept

Hermetic quote Crowley Why Jesus Wept none dare disturb his grief dragons to confront minotaurs to slay