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Ignorance is the mother of Devotion: A maxim that is proverbial, and confirmed by general experience. Look out for a people, entirely destitute of religion: If you find them at all, be assured, that they are but few degrees removed from brutes. What so pure as some of the morals, included in some theological system? What so corrupt as some of the practices, to which these systems give rise?

David Hume#43

ReligionFaithMoralityIgnorance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Religion often arises from ignorance, and while systems claim moral purity, their practices can be corrupt.
In plain terms
Ignorance leads to religion, and religious systems can be corrupt.
What can you take from it?
Question the link between religious systems and moral outcomes.

Where it applies

  • studying history
  • analyzing sects

Putting it to work

  • critique religious systems

Questions to consider

  • Does ignorance fuel belief?
  • Can religion be both moral and corrupt?

Another view

Many religious people live morally without corruption.

More from David Hume

  1. Hear the verbal protestations of all men: Nothing so certain as their religious tenets. Examine their lives: You will scarcely think that they repose the small…

    Permalink to quote #42
  2. The whole is a riddle, an aenigma, an inexplicable mystery. Doubt, uncertainty, suspence of judgment appear the only result of our most accurate scrutiny, conc…

    Permalink to quote #44
  3. What a noble privilege is it of human reason to attain the knowledge of the supreme Being; and, from the visible works of nature, be enabled to infer so sublim…

    Permalink to quote #41

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