The fools of the world have been those who have established religions, ceremonies, laws, faith, rule of life. The greatest asses of the world are those who, lacking all understanding and instruction, and void of all civil life and custom, rot in perpetual pedantry; those who by the grace of heaven would reform obscure and corrupted faith, salve the cruelties of perverted religion and remove abuse of superstitions, mending the rents in their vesture. It is not they who indulge impious curiosity or who are ever seeking the secrets of nature, and reckoning the courses of the stars. Observe whether they have been busy with the secret causes of things, or if they have condoned the destruction of kingdoms, the dispersion of peoples, fires, blood, ruin or extermination; whether they seek the destruction of the whole world that it may belong to them: in order that the poor soul may be saved, that an edifice may be raised in heaven, that treasure may be laid up in that blessed land, caring naught for fame, profit or glory in this frail and uncertain life, but only for that other most certain and eternal life.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Those who create rigid religious systems often cause harm, while true seekers of nature are blamed.
- In plain terms
- Religious leaders who enforce rules often destroy worlds, while those who study nature are ignored.
- What can you take from it?
- Question religious authorities who prioritize rules over truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do rules protect or harm?
- Who is really foolish?
Another view
This is a strong generalization about religious institutions.
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