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Jesus died to save men -- a small thing for an immortal to do, & didn't save many, anyway; but if he had been damned for the race that would have been act of a size proper to a god, & would have saved the whole race. However, why should anybody want to save the human race, or damn it either? Does God want its society? Does Satan?

Samuel Langhorne Clemens#58

EthicsPhilosophyReligionTheologyPurposeSacrifice

About this quote

What does it mean?
Jesus' sacrifice is small for an immortal, yet it didn't save many; if he were condemned, that would be a god‑like act, but the purpose of saving humanity is questionable.
In plain terms
The significance of divine sacrifice is debated.
What can you take from it?
Question the motives behind grand deeds.

Where it applies

  • theological debate
  • moral philosophy

Putting it to work

  • analyze religious narratives
  • discuss moral implications

Questions to consider

  • Why do we value sacrifice?
  • What defines a worthy act?

Another view

Many find profound meaning in the sacrifice regardless of scale.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

  1. I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.

    Permalink to quote #57
  2. A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.

    Permalink to quote #59
  3. Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

    Permalink to quote #56

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