Skip to content
quotesby

If you will take the trouble to consult your dictionary, you will find that demons may be either good or bad, like any other class of beings. Originally all demons were good, yet of late years people have come to consider all demons evil. I do not know why. Should you read Hesiod you will find he says: 'Soon was a world of holy demons made, Aerial spirits, by great Jove designed To be on earth the guardians of mankind.' ' 'But Jove was himself a myth,' objected Rob, who had been studying mythology. The Demon shrugged his shoulders. 'Then take the words of Mr. Shakespeare, to whom you all defer,' he replied. 'Do you not remember that he says: 'Thy demon (that's thy spirit which keeps thee) is Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable.' ' 'Oh, if Shakespeare says it, that's all right,' answered the boy.'

L. Frank Baum#36

BeliefCultureEducationMythology

About this quote

What does it mean?
The text argues demons can be good, using ancient texts and Shakespeare to challenge the view that all are evil.
In plain terms
Demons can be good, not just bad, according to old stories.
What can you take from it?
Old views can be challenged by texts.

Where it applies

  • debating beliefs
  • studying texts
  • challenging norms

Putting it to work

  • read diverse sources
  • question assumptions
  • use authority

Questions to consider

  • What defines a demon?
  • Do old texts hold truth?

Another view

Cultural views often persist despite evidence.

More from L. Frank Baum

  1. 'The Silver Shoes,' said the Good Witch, 'have wonderful powers. And one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the w…

    Permalink to quote #35
  2. Familiarity with any great thing removes our awe of it. The great general is only terrible to the enemy; the great poet is frequently scolded by his wife; the …

    Permalink to quote #37
  3. 'I have heard that Glinda is a beautiful woman, who knows how to keep young in spite of the many years she has lived.'

    Permalink to quote #34

Related quotes

  1. Maxime tamen curavit notitiam historiae fabularis usque ad ineptias atque derisum; nam et grammaticos, quod genus hominum praecipue, ut diximus, appetebat, eiu…

    SuetoniusSuetonius quote #13
  2. Mythology is wondrous, a balm for the soul. But its problems cannot be ignored. At worst, it buys inspiration at the price of physical impossibility [:]. At be…

    Stephen Jay GouldStephen Jay Gould quote #170
  3. The greater the ignorance the greater the dogmatism.

    William OslerWilliam Osler quote #1