"Mystery has its own mysteries, and there are gods above gods. We have ours, they have theirs. That is what's known as infinity"
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Jean Cocteau's quote, "Mystery has its own secrets, and there are gods above gods. We have ours, they have theirs. That is what's called infinity", elegantly encapsulates the extensive and unfathomable nature of existence that persists beyond human understanding.
At its core, the quote is a meditation on the boundless layers of secret that pervade our universe. Cocteau begins by acknowledging that mystery itself is not a particular or finite experience; rather, it is layered with much deeper enigmas. This recommends that as we discover answers, we simultaneously expose additional questions, exposing a detailed web of unknowns that extend beyond our observant reach.
The phrase "there are gods above gods" can be analyzed as a recommendation of the myriad levels of power, understanding, and existence beyond the human grasp. In numerous cultural and religious traditions, gods often represent supreme power and knowledge. By presuming that there are "gods above gods", Cocteau mean the idea that even what we might perceive as the ultimate authority or peak of understanding may itself undergo higher forces or higher mysteries. This idea destabilizes any assumption of a singular ultimate fact, rather proposing a continuum of divinity and secret.
The statement, "We have ours, they have theirs", expands the point of view to incorporate different belief systems, cultures, or possibly even various forms of consciousness. This plurality underscores the idea that there is no single path to enlightenment or understanding; instead, each entity has its own set of secrets and deities, reflecting the diversity of experience and interpretation.
Lastly, by concluding with "That is what's called infinity", Cocteau uses an extensive vista-- that true infinity is the idea that there is no end to what can be understood, to the mysteries that can unfold, or to the hierarchies of power that might exist. This concept of infinity suggests a universe that is boundless, eternally shrouded in layers upon layers of mystery, challenging the human pursuit of outright knowledge and stressing the beauty discovered in continuous wonder and expedition.
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