When civil fury first grew high, And men fell out, they knew not why; When hard words, jealousies, and fears, Set folks together by the ears, And made them fight, like mad or drunk, For Dame Religion, as for punk; Whose honesty they all durst swear for, Though not a man of them knew wherefore: When Gospel-Trumpeter, surrounded With long-ear'd rout, to battle sounded, And pulpit, drum ecclesiastick, Was beat with fist, instead of a stick; Then did Sir Knight abandon dwelling, And out he rode a colonelling.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Butler depicts religious civil wars where men fight fiercely over faith they do not understand.
- In plain terms
- People fight violently for religion they know nothing about.
- What can you take from it?
- Ignorant zeal fuels violent conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What are you fighting for?
- Do you know why you fight?
Another view
This targets specific historical religious wars not all belief.
More from Samuel Butler
There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.
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Permalink to quote #3 For rhetoric, he could not ope His mouth, but out there flew a trope; And when he happen'd to break off I' th' middle of his speech, or cough, H' had hard word…
Permalink to quote #4
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