Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Mefistófeles: De sol e de mundos nada sei dizer, vejo apenas como os homens se atormentam. O pequeno Deus do mundo [o homem] continua na mesma e está tão admirável assim como no primeiro dia. Um pouco melhor ele viveria, não lhe tivesses dado o brilho da luz celeste; ele chama isto razão e lança mão dela somente para ser mais animalesco do que cada animal.
Summary
In this quote, Mephistopheles expresses his view on humanity and their ability to reason. He claims to have no knowledge of the sun or the worlds, as his focus lies on witnessing how humans torment themselves. Mephistopheles refers to humans as the "small God of the world" who remains unchanged and equally admirable since the beginning. He suggests that humans would have lived slightly better without being bestowed with the divine light of reason, for they only use it to become more beastly than any animal. This quote highlights Mephistopheles' cynical perspective on human nature and their misuse of rationality.