Battles, revolutions, pestilence, famine, and death, are…
“Battles, revolutions, pestilence, famine, and death, are never the effect of those natural causes, which we experience. Prodigies,omens, oracles, judgments, quite obscure the few natural events, that are intermingled with them. But as the former grow thinner every pagewe soon learn, that there is nothing mysterious or supernatural in the case, but that all proceeds from the usual propensity of mankind towards the marvellous, and that, though this inclination may at intervals receive a check from sense and learning, it can never be thoroughly extirpated.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings tend to attribute extraordinary events to supernatural causes, but such explanations are unnecessary; natural human tendencies explain them.
In simple terms: People over‑interpret events as mystical when they are natural.
Key Takeaway
Recognize natural explanations before assuming the supernatural.
Themes
human nature
explanation
superstition
reason
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- personal decision‑making
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between natural and supernatural explanations?
- What role does cultural belief play in interpreting events?
A Different Perspective
May overlook genuine unknown phenomena if too skeptical.