There is not an oath, or at least a curse amongst them…
““There is not an oath, or at least a curse amongst them, which has not been copied over and over again out of Ernulphus a thousand times but, like all other copies, how infinitely short of the force and spirit of the original! It is thought to be no bad oath - and by itself passes very well - "God damn you" - Set it beside Ernulphus's - "God Almighty the Father damn you - God the Son damn you - God the Holy Ghost damn you" - you see 'tis nothing. - There is an orientality in his, we cannot rise up to.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Repeated oaths lose their power and meaning compared to the original, showing that imitation dilutes spiritual force.
In simple terms: Copying weakens original intent.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic words, not hollow repetitions.
Themes
faith
language
authenticity
ritual
power
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- religious ceremonies
- political vows
- personal promises
- rituals
- public speeches
Key Concepts
symbolism
spirituality
dilution
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you preserve the potency of your commitments?
- When does repetition become meaningless?
A Different Perspective
Even original oaths can become empty if overused.