It is evident, from their method of propagation, that a…
“It is evident, from their method of propagation, that a couple of cats, in fifty years, would stock a whole kingdom; and if that religious veneration were still paid them, it would, in twenty more, not only be easier in Egypt to find a god than a man, which Petronius says was the case in some parts of Italy; but the gods must at last entirely starve the men, and leave themselves neither priests nor votaries remaining.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Religious reverence can spread like a contagion, eventually outgrowing human control and leaving societies dependent on divine authority rather than rational governance.
In simple terms: Blind worship can dominate societies over time.
Key Takeaway
Question the basis of your beliefs.
Themes
religion
societal influence
power dynamics
Mood
skeptical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political reform
- education curricula
- public discourse on secularism
Key Concepts
cultural evolution
authority
human agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief shape social structures?
- What alternatives exist to religious authority?
A Different Perspective
Rational critique may be dismissed by entrenched traditions.