Before what is sacred, people lose all sense of power and…
“Before what is sacred, people lose all sense of power and all confidence; they occupy a powerless and humble attitude toward it. And yet no thing is sacred of itself, but by my declaring it sacred, by my declaration, my judgment, my bending the knee; in short, by my conscience.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power and confidence wane before the sacred; sacredness arises from personal declaration and conscience.
In simple terms: Sacredness is self‑declared.
Recognize personal authority.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- personal values
- social hierarchies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you consider sacred?
- How does personal belief shape power?
Sacredness can be manipulated by authority.