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About this quote

What does it mean?
Deities are created by humans based on human characteristics.
In plain terms
People make gods after their own image.
What can you take from it?
Gods are human creations.

Where it applies

  • theology discussion
  • cultural analysis
  • secular critique

Putting it to work

  • examine religious origins
  • discuss belief systems

Questions to consider

  • Is god a reflection of man?
  • What defines the divine?

Another view

Some faiths claim divine origin independent of humans.

More from Xenophanes

  1. Mortals deem that the gods are begotten as they are, and have clothes like theirs, and voice and form.

    Permalink to quote #2

  2. The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. Yet if cattle or horses or lions had…

    Permalink to quote #3

Related quotes

  1. Mortals deem that the gods are begotten as they are, and have clothes like theirs, and voice and form.

    XenophanesXenophanes quote #2

  2. Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God - but to create Him.

    Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. Clarke quote #13

  3. Christ was a Jew, and God, he is supposed to have made the universe. That's a little far-fetched because if God made the world, who made God?

    Julius StreicherJulius Streicher quote #8