John Steinbeck

“I believe that there is one story in the World, and only one that has frightened and inspired us, so that we live in a Pearl White serial of continuing thought and wonder. Human are caught… in a net of good and evil. I think this is the only story we have and that it occurs on all levels of feeling and intelligence. …There is no other story. A man, after he has brushed off the dust and ships of his life, will have left only the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well – or ill?

“…In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love…

“…We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.”

-John Steinbeck

East of Eden

{chapter 34}

I am currently making my way through this beautifully written novel, and these passages above are so profound to me. The whole chapter whispered truth to my heart.