Wild Goose Bidden or Not Bidden

Product description

Hanging bronze plaque

Carl Jung, the eminent psychologist, 1875-1961, had this carved, in Latin, over the front door of his house in Zurich. This was to remind those entering that ‘Awe of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.’ Psalms 111.10

The words are said to originate from the reply given by the Delphic Oracle to the Spartans when they were planning a war against Athens:’Yes, the Gods will be present, but in what form and to what purpose?’

Jung came across this when, as a student of 19 years, he was studying a Latin collection of analects, or jottings, by Erasmus, the Renaissance scholar and humanist. It is also carved on Jung’s tombstone.

Latin: Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit