The nations, and the sects, of the Roman world, admitted…
![“The nations, and the sects, of the Roman world, admitted with equal credulity, and similar abhorrence, the reality of that infernal art [witchcraft], which was able to control the eternal order of the planets, and the voluntary operations of the human mind. . . . They believed, with the wildest…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/2cd/edward-gibbon-710_abhorrence_the-nations-and-the-sects-of-the-roman-w_1507076.png)
“The nations, and the sects, of the Roman world, admitted with equal credulity, and similar abhorrence, the reality of that infernal art [witchcraft], which was able to control the eternal order of the planets, and the voluntary operations of the human mind. . . . They believed, with the wildest inconsistency, that this preternatural dominion of the air, of earth, and of hell, was exercised, from the vilest motives of malice or gain, by some wrinkled hags and itinerant sorcerers, who passed their obscure lives in penury and contempt.”
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 the Roman world accepted witchcraft as a real force, attributing both good and bad outcomes to it despite its contradictions.
In simple terms: Romans believed in witchcraft despite its inconsistencies.
Key Takeaway
Question the logical consistency of widely held beliefs.
Themes
belief
superstition
contradiction
history
society
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
historical
critical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- critical thinking workshops
- media literacy campaigns
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
cultural narratives
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies cling to contradictory myths?
- How can education address entrenched superstitions?
A Different Perspective
Such beliefs can persist even when evidence contradicts them.