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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans project their own physical traits onto deities.
In plain terms
People imagine gods look like themselves.
What can you take from it?
Gods reflect human images.

Where it applies

  • theological debate
  • cultural study
  • philosophical inquiry

Putting it to work

  • study religious iconography
  • analyze cultural myths

Questions to consider

  • Why do humans anthropomorphize gods?
  • Does this limit spiritual understanding?

Another view

Not all religions depict gods in human form.

More from Xenophanes

  1. Men create the gods in their own image.

    Permalink to quote #1
  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

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