as the mass of mankind remains always at about the same…
““as the mass of mankind remains always at about the same pitch of misery, it never assents long to any one remedy, but is always best pleased by a novelty, which has not yet proved illusive. This element of inconsistency has been the cause of many terrible wars and revolutions; for, as Curtius well says (lib. iv. chap. 10): “The mob has no ruler more potent than superstition,” and is easily led, on the plea of religion, at one moment to adore its kings as gods, and anon to execrate and abjure them as humanity’s common bane. Immense pains have therefore been taken to counteract this evil by investing religion, whether true or false, with such pomp and ceremony, that it may rise superior to every shock, and be always observed with studious reverence by the whole people—a system which has been brought to great perfection by the Turks, for they consider even controversy impious, and so clog men’s minds with dogmatic formulas, that they leave no room for sound reason, not even enough to doubt with.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humanity is drawn to new, untested ideas and superstition, making it vulnerable to manipulation and conflict, especially when religion is used as a tool for control.
In simple terms: People favor novelty and superstition, leading to conflict.
Key Takeaway
Beware novelty novelty and question authority.
Themes
human nature
religion
political manipulation
conflict
dogma
Mood
skeptical
critical
reflective
Type
aphilosophical
political
historical
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- religious movements
- media sensationalism
- education reform
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
superstition
mass psychology
authoritarianism
cultural inertia
Questions to Reflect On
- How does novelty influence your decisions?
- What role does superstition play in modern politics?
A Different Perspective
Novelty can be exploited, and blind faith may suppress critical thinking.