In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Twain claims most religious and political beliefs are accepted without personal examination.
- In plain terms
- People get beliefs from others without thinking for themselves.
- What can you take from it?
- Verify beliefs personally rather than accepting them secondhand.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you believe blindly?
- How do you decide?
Another view
Some shared beliefs are useful for community cohesion.
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