The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker

If men believed all blood was equal, the caste-nobility would be overthrown. Why call an emperor’s blood divine? Why tell slaves that suffering is grace? It is what beliefs do, the actions they license and prohibit, that is important. And you understood that it had to be this way, since it is the function of belief, not the veracity, that preserved nations. “You realized those truths that cut against the interests of the powerful were called lies, and that those lies that served those interests were called truths. So you made their beliefs the object of your relentless scrutiny. And to master circumstance, you had to bind the actions of the worldborn to your will. To command yourself, you had to master circumstance. “As Dûnyain,” the disembodied voice continued, “you had no choice. “All Kellhus could see of his father were two fingers and a thumb lying slack upon a bare thigh.

Why is Man distinct from other beasts?” “Because like beasts, Man stands within the circuit of before and after, and yet he apprehends the Logos. And yet Man, young Kellhus, does possess a beginning and end-like all beasts. It is the ground of what is ‘young’ and what is ‘old,’ and so cannot itself be young or old.” “Yes. Does that mean the principle of before and after, of cause and effect, has grown old?” “No, Pragma.” “And why is that? Do men not grow old and die? Do not even mountains age and crumble with time?” “Yes, Pragma.” “Then how can this principle not be old?” “Because,” Kellhus answered, struggling to snuff a flare of pride, “the principle of before and after is nowhere to be found within the circuit of before and after. “Two thousand years have passed, young Kellhus, and we still hold that principle true. What was that principle, young Kellhus?” “That which comes before determines that which comes after.” The Pragma nodded. “When the Dûnyain first found Ishuäl in these mountains, they knew only one principle of the Logos. From the darkness that comes before.” “I understand, Pragma.” The cold eyes peered through him and saw this was true. It arises from the passions and not from the intellect. “Interruption is weakness, young Kellhus.

The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker