On the heights of Despair in Damascus دمشق

“We were fond together because of the sweep of open places, the taste of wide winds, the sunlight, and the hopes in which we worked. The morning freshness of the world-to-be intoxicated us. We were wrought up with ideas inexpressible and vaporous, but to be fought for. We lived many lives in those whirling campaigns, never sparing ourselves: yet when we achieved and the new world dawned, the old men came out again and took our victory to remake in the likeness of the former world they knew. Youth could win, but had not learned to keep, and was pitiably weak against age. We stammered that we had worked for a new heaven and a new earth, and they thanked us kindly and made their peace.”

T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph

Picture of Lawrence in Damascus on the height of success in the Arab Revolt. There is something haunting about it. Getting to the top and realizing there is something like an abyss.

The philosopher Cioran wrote a book of essays called "on the heights of despair"