So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Russell notes that the Gospels contain no praise for intelligence.
- In plain terms
- The Gospels don’t commend intellect.
- What can you take from it?
- Religious texts may undervalue rationality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does this imply about historical attitudes to reason?
- How do modern believers reconcile faith and intellect?
Another view
Interpretations of the Gospels vary widely.
More from Bertrand Russell
Science is what you know, philosophy is what you don't know.
Permalink to quote #202 The saviors of the world, society's last hope.
Permalink to quote #204 Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence; it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.
Permalink to quote #201
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