In 'Markings', Dag Hammarskjold, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, shares his profound reflections, poetic thoughts, and spiritual insights drawn from his personal journals. This collection offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a leader grappling with the complexities of life, service, and the quest for meaning in a tumultuous world. With lyrical prose that resonates with deep wisdom, Hammarskjold's words inspire a journey of self-discovery and introspection. Readers are invited to ponder their own existence while unraveling the philosophical underpinnings of duty and morality. Will you dare to explore the depths of your own thoughts as Hammarskjold did?
By Dag Hammarskjold
Published: 2006
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you become is your gift to God."
"Perhaps the greatest testament of personal devotion published in this century." — The New York Times A powerful journal of poems and spiritual meditations recorded over several decades by a universally known and admired peacemaker. A dramatic account of spiritual struggle, Markings has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers since it was first published in 1964. Markings is distinctive, as W.H. Auden remarks in his foreword, as a record of "the attempt by a professional man of action to unite in one life the via activa and the via contemplativa." It reflects its author's efforts to live his creed, his belief that all men are equally the children of God and that faith and love require of him a life of selfless service to others. For Hammarskjöld, "the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action." Markings is not only a fascinating glimpse of the mind of a great man, but also a moving spiritual classic that has left its mark on generations of readers.
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“What you are is God's gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.”
Markings
By Dag Hammarskjold
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Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) was a Swedish diplomat, economist, and author, best known for his tenure as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his untimely death in a plane crash in 1961. A profound thinker and visionary leader, Hammarskjold’s notable works include 'Markings' (1964), a collection of personal reflections and philosophical meditations. His writing is characterized by a deep introspection, poetic language, and spiritual insight, blending his diplomatic experiences with a quest for personal meaning, highlighting themes of humanity, duty, and the search for peace. Hammarskjold's legacy endures not only through his public service but also through his literary contributions, which continue to inspire and challenge readers around the world.
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