If you can impress any man with an absorbing conviction of…
“If you can impress any man with an absorbing conviction of the supreme importance of some moral or religious doctrine; if you can make him believe that those who reject that doctrine are doomed to eternal perdition; if you then give that man power, and by means of his ignorance blind him to the ulterior consequences of his own act,-he will infallibly persecute those who deny his doctrine.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power combined with blind faith leads to persecution of dissenters.
In simple terms: Blind belief plus authority fuels oppression.
Key Takeaway
Beware granting power to the uninformed.
Themes
power
faith
persecution
authority
dogma
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- religious institutions
- education
- media influence
Key Concepts
social psychology
political theory
religion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does ignorance shape policy?
- Can power be checked without belief?
A Different Perspective
Even educated leaders can be misled by doctrine.