It is impious, says the modern European superstition, to…
““It is impious, says the modern European superstition, to put a period to our own life, and thereby rebel against our creator: and why not impious, say I, to build houses, cultivate the ground, or sail upon the ocean? In all these actions we employ our powers of mind and body to produce some innovation in the course of nature; and in non of them do we any more. They are all of them therefore equally innocent, or equally criminal.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human creativity and daily tasks are neutral; labeling them as sacred or profane is arbitrary.
In simple terms: Every action is morally neutral.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions by impact, not labels.
Themes
morality
creativity
human agency
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- art creation
- building houses
- farming
- sailing
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we over‑spiritualize some tasks?
- Can all work be seen as innocent?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments can be culturally biased.