You may control a mad elephant; You may shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; Ride the lion and play with the cobra; By alchemy you may earn your livelihood; You may wander through the universe incognito; Make vassals of the gods; be ever youthful; You may walk on water and live in fire; But control of the mind is better and more difficult.
Science tells theology about the structure and history of the universe and its evolutionary nature. Religious insight can set the laws of nature in a more profound context of understanding, so that their deep order, rational beauty and anthropic fine-tuning become intelligible.
If you seek to understand the whole universe you will understand nothing at all but seek to understand yourself and you will understand the whole universe.
The cosmos is interesting rather than perfect, and everything is not part of some greater plan, nor is all necessarily under control.
Whether you’re a gem in the royal court or a stone on the common path, if you accept your part with humility the glory of the universe will be yours.
