Superstition, in all times and among all nations, is the…
“Superstition, in all times and among all nations, is the fear of a spirit whose passions are those of a man, whose acts are the acts of a man; who is present in some places, not in others; who makes no places holy and not others; who is kind to one person, unkind to another; who is pleased or angry according to the degree of attention you pay him, or praise you refuse to him; who is hostile generally to human pleasure, but may be bribed by sacrifice of a part of that pleasure into permitting the rest. This, whatever form of faith it colors, is the essence of superstition.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Superstition is humanity’s projection of human emotions onto unseen forces, treating them as capricious beings that reward or punish based on attention.
In simple terms: People treat unknown forces like fickle beings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize superstition as a human tendency to personify uncertainty.
Themes
belief
human nature
psychology
culture
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- political propaganda
- personal decision making
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
anthropology
cognitive bias
mythmaking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personifying uncertainty affect your choices?
- What role does attention play in creating belief?
A Different Perspective
Superstition can hinder rational problem solving and foster fear.