8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Dear Reader, think of your own favorite literature or movies. The Epic Story. The Noble Cause. With characters, and drama, and plots that thicken. Tragedies. Comedies. Tragic comedies. With Heroes and Villians. Leading characters. Supporting characters. About families. About famous personages. Countries. Battles. Wars. Politics. The battle between Good and Evil. The telling of History is loaded chock full of fanciful story-telling. The human drama.
The Beginning. All good stories start with one. The sun is shining. It's warm and cozy. The birds are twittering. The camera moves slowly past the Setting to give the ensuing story a context. All is well with the world. Everything is beautiful. There is a sense of confidence in the near term outlook. A feeling of mild anticipation and excitement. This is the Awakening in Innocence. Optimism. The Rosy Outlook. Perfection.
But not for long in most stories. They would be rather boring otherwise. Don't you think?
Recently, I purchased an 1884 rendition of Milton's Paradise Lost complete with fifty engravings by Gustave Dore. I recall seeing many of Dore's engravings as a child. I was amazed at the chiascaro effect of light and dark shading in the engravings from an early age. And the stories within.
Internet Fair Use - Gustave Dore's Adam's Rib Awakens in Innocence
Milton's Paradise Lost does not start the story with the advent of mankind but rather with the Fall of the Angels and the ensuing Pandemonium. Chaos. Disorder. The differences between the Creator and the Created. The battle between Good and Evil. Power. Thrones. Dominions. Princedoms. Deceit. Intrigue.
But from our perspective, though, I suppose it always seems to start with us. We are rather self-centered in that regard. So many start the story at the beginning of Mankind. From dust we are created. To dust we shall return. The cemeteries and graves are full of quiet evidence. But I am getting ahead of myself so soon. The story starts out in Paradise, does it not?. Eve, Adam's Rib, is of the same flesh and blood as the first man. Adam receives his help-meet. So at Eve's Awakening in Innocence, Adam is
"Leaning, half-raised, with looks of cordial love,
Hung over her enamoured."
We are always enamored over the Beginning of a thing.
But from our perspective, though, I suppose it always seems to start with us. We are rather self-centered in that regard. So many start the story at the beginning of Mankind. From dust we are created. To dust we shall return. The cemeteries and graves are full of quiet evidence. But I am getting ahead of myself so soon. The story starts out in Paradise, does it not?. Eve, Adam's Rib, is of the same flesh and blood as the first man. Adam receives his help-meet. So at Eve's Awakening in Innocence, Adam is
"Leaning, half-raised, with looks of cordial love,
Hung over her enamoured."
We are always enamored over the Beginning of a thing.
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