Even if nothing worse than wasted mental effort could be…
“Even if nothing worse than wasted mental effort could be laid to the charge of theology, that alone ought to be sufficient to banish it from the earth ... What a vast amount of labour and learning has been expended, as uselessly as emptying shallow puddles into sieves! How much intellect has been employed mousing after texts, to sustain preconceived doctrines!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wasting effort on defending empty doctrines is futile; intellectual labor should seek truth, not preserve falsehoods.
In simple terms: Avoid futile defense of false ideas.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize truth‑seeking over tradition.
Themes
criticism
intellectual honesty
skepticism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- public discourse
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
epistemology
dogma
Questions to Reflect On
- Is all tradition harmful?
- When is it okay to preserve a belief for community?
A Different Perspective
Some traditions provide social cohesion despite flaws.