in adversity they know not where to turn, but beg and pray…
““in adversity they know not where to turn, but beg and pray for counsel from every passer-by. No plan is then too futile, too absurd, or too fatuous for their adoption; the most frivolous causes will raise them to hope, or plunge them into despair—if anything happens during their fright which reminds them of some past good or ill, they think it portends a happy or unhappy issue, and therefore (though it may have proved abortive a hundred times before) style it a lucky or unlucky omen. Anything that excites their astonishment they believe to be a portent signifying the anger of the gods or of the Supreme Being, and, mistaking superstition for religion, account it impious not to avert the evil with prayer and sacrifice. Signs and wonders of this sort they conjure up perpetually, till one might think Nature as mad as themselves, they interpret her so fantastically.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People in crisis cling to any guidance, even absurd or superstitious, interpreting events as omens that shape hope or despair.
In simple terms: Crisis drives people to seek meaning in any sign.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑interpreting random events.
Themes
crisis
superstition
hope
despair
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- political upheaval
- health emergencies
- financial crises
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
meaning making
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine insight from superstition?
- What strategies help maintain rationality under stress?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on superstition can hinder rational decision‑making.