The Greeks think they justly honor players, because they…
““The Greeks think they justly honor players, because they worship the gods who demand plays; the Romans, on the other hand, do not suffer an actor to disgrace by his name his own plebeian tribe, far less the senatorial order. And the whole of this discussion may be summed up in the following syllogism. The Greeks give us the major premise: If such gods are to be worshiped, then certainly such men may be honored. The Romans add the minor: But such men must by no means be honoured. The Christians draw the conclusion: Therefore such gods must by no means be worshiped.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Augustine critiques how different cultures honor gods and actors, concluding that honoring gods leads to honoring men, which Christians reject.
In simple terms: He argues that worship of gods justifies honoring people, but Christians deny both.
Key Takeaway
Question the link between divine worship and human honor.
Themes
religion
culture
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- comparative religion
- ethical debate
Key Concepts
theology
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does worship shape societal values?
- Can honor exist without divine endorsement?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes a uniform view of worship across cultures.