Whether a Commonwealth suffers more by hypocritical…
“Whether a Commonwealth suffers more by hypocritical pretenders to religion or by the openly profane? The most dangerous hypocrite in a Commonwealth is one who leaves the gospel for the sake of the law. A man compounded of law and gospel is able to cheat a whole country with his religion and then destroy them under color of law.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that religious hypocrisy, especially when combined with legal authority, can corrupt and destroy a society more than overt profanity.
In simple terms: Hypocritical religious leaders can betray a nation.
Key Takeaway
Beware of leaders who misuse religion and law.
Themes
politics
religion
ethics
corruption
Mood
cautious
critical
serious
Type
political
ethical
warning
When to use this quote
- government policy
- legal reform
- church leadership
- public discourse
Key Concepts
hypocrisy
law
gospel
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies detect and prevent religious‑legal abuse?
- What safeguards protect law from being weaponized?
A Different Perspective
Such leaders may claim moral authority while exploiting power for personal gain.