the many and no one

History adds that before or after dying he [the actor] found himself in the presence of God and told Him: "I who have been so many men in vain want to be one and myself." The voice of the Lord answered from a whirlwind: "Neither am I anyone; I have dreamt the world as you dreamt your work...and among the forms in my dream are you, who like myself are many and no one."

From "Everything and Nothing," by Jorge Luis Borges (translated by James E. Irby)