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About this quote

What does it mean?
Unamuno criticizes revolutionary leaders who use religion to pacify the masses instead of empowering them.
In plain terms
Revolutionaries treat religion like a drug to keep people quiet and compliant.
What can you take from it?
Avoid using beliefs to suppress critical thinking in others.

Where it applies

  • political discourse
  • social reform
  • critique of ideology

Putting it to work

  • analyze motives of leaders
  • question passive acceptance

Questions to consider

  • Who benefits when people stop questioning?
  • Is comfort always better than awakening?

Another view

Some argue religion provides comfort rather than just control.

More from Miguel de Unamuno

  1. Let us go on committing suicide by working among our people, and let them dream life just as the lake dreams the sky.

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Besos que vienen riendo, luego llorando se van, y en ellos se va la vida, que nunca mas volvera.

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. I would say that teleology is theology, and that God is not a 'because,' but rather an 'in order to.'

    Permalink to quote #24

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