[Skull]

Originally Posted by Skull

AE or George W. Russell was a poet, mystic & theosophist. This is a collection of his writings:

http://whitecrowbooks.com/books/page/the_descent_of_the_gods_the_mystical_writings_of_g .w._russell_a.e/

How "The Hero in Man" article begins:

There sometimes comes on us a mood of strange reverence for people
and things which in less contemplative hours we hold to be unworthy;
and in such moments we may set side by side the head of Christ and
the head of an outcast, and there is an equal radiance around each,
which makes of the darker face a shadow and is itself a shadow
around the head of light. We feel a fundamental unity of purpose in
their presence here, and would as willingly pay homage to the one
who has fallen as to him who has become a master of life. I know that
immemorial order decrees that the laurel and the crown be given only
to the victor, but in those moments I speak of a profound intuition
changes the decree and sets the aureole on both alike.

We feel such deep pity for the fallen that there must needs be a
justice in it, for these diviner feelings are wise in themselves and do
not vaguely arise. They are lights from the Father. A justice lies in
uttermost pity and forgiveness, even when we seem to ourselves to be
most deeply wronged; or why is it that the awakening of resentment
or hate brings such swift contrition?