Teffi - velikii razum u zhizni

[Robert Chandler]

Dear all,

And this is anothe difficult passage from the same page.  Does anyone have any thoughts about великий разум у жизни?  Is this a phrase that Teffi has just made up casually?  Or is she alluding to anything that might have been a standard phrase in theological discussion?

В дни самого мрачного средневековья, когда тихие затворники, пряча мысль свою, как тайную лампаду в темных кельях монастырей, в исступленных муках души искали великий разум у жизни и за эту муку свою сгорали на кострах инквизиции, — тогда о радостях земли знали только песни, и несли их певцы-поэты с гитарами в руках.

In the depth of the Middle Ages, when silent recluses were concealing their true thoughts like secret lamps in the dark cells of the monasteries, when their agonized search for  a governing intelligence (???) in life was being rewarded only with the fires of the Inquisition – in these dark days earthly joys were known only in song, only in songs spread by singer-poets with guitars in their arms.

 All the best, and thanks!

Robert

Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

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