Talk to him of Jacob's ladder, and he would ask the number of the steps

Talk to him of Jacob's ladder, and he would ask the number of the steps

Douglas Jerrold was a renowned English playwright, humorist, and satirist known for his sharp wit and keen observations of society. He was a master of wordplay and often used clever language to make profound points about human nature and the world around him. One of his most famous quotes is, “Talk to him of Jacob's ladder, and he would ask the number of the steps.”

This quote is a perfect example of Jerrold's ability to use humor to shed light on deeper truths. In the biblical story of Jacob's ladder, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching up to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The ladder is seen as a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth, and the angels represent divine communication and guidance.

By saying that someone would ask the number of steps on Jacob's ladder, Jerrold is poking fun at the tendency of some people to focus on trivial details rather than the bigger picture. Instead of being moved by the spiritual significance of the vision, this person is more concerned with counting the steps on the ladder. This humorous observation highlights the absurdity of missing the forest for the trees, so to speak.

Jerrold's quote can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human tendency to overanalyze and nitpick, rather than appreciating the beauty and mystery of life. In our modern world, where information is constantly at our fingertips and we are bombarded with data and statistics, it can be easy to get caught up in the minutiae and lose sight of the larger truths and meanings that surround us.

Overall, Jerrold's quote is a reminder to step back, take a deep breath, and appreciate the wonder and magic of the world around us. Instead of getting bogged down in the details, we should strive to see the bigger picture and embrace the mysteries that make life so rich and fascinating.