When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come…
““When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come to think that the outsiders who don't know it are not merely inferior to them in skill but lower in God's eyes; as the priests said, 'All that rabble who are not experts in the Torah are accursed.' and as this pride increases, the 'subject' or study which confers such privilege will grow more and more complicated, the list of things forbidden will increase, till to get through a single day without supposed sin becomes like an elaborate step-dance, and this horrible network breeds self-righteousness in some and haunting anxiety in others.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When a discipline is deemed sacred, its experts may deem outsiders inferior, creating complex rules that cause both self‑righteousness and anxiety.
In simple terms: Experts can make a field feel exclusive, leading to pride and fear.
Key Takeaway
Beware elitism; simplify standards.
Themes
elitism
religion
anxiety
pride
exclusivity
Mood
critical
reflective
concerned
Type
philosophical
ethical
observational
When to use this quote
- academic settings
- religious communities
- professional guilds
- online forums
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
dogmatism
social hierarchy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exclusivity affect community health?
- What can simplify overly rigid standards?
A Different Perspective
Complex rules can alienate newcomers and stifle genuine learning.