Voltaire spoke of the Bible as a short-lived book. He said…
“Voltaire spoke of the Bible as a short-lived book. He said that within a hundred years it would pass from common use. Not many people read Voltaire today, but his house has been packed with Bibles as a depot of a Bible society.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Voltaire predicted the Bible would become obsolete within a century, yet it endures, showing the difficulty of forecasting cultural longevity.
In simple terms: Predictions about cultural relevance often fail.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about lasting impact.
Themes
history
cultural change
prediction
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- publishing industry
- education curricula
- media trends
Key Concepts
ephemerality
religion
societal values
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors contribute to a work’s lasting influence?
- How do predictions shape our treatment of cultural artifacts?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks the role of institutional support in preserving texts.