as if any one but a fool imagined that he could compress a…
““as if any one but a fool imagined that he could compress a thing like art or religion or science into an epigram which could be lifted from its context and, so lifted, continue to make sense. Giving and collecting definitions is not philosophy but a parlour game. The writer’s definition of religion (as of art and so forth) is coextensive with this entire book, and will nowhere be found in smaller compass. Nor will it be found in its completeness there; for no book is wholly self-explanatory, but solicits the co-operation of a reasonably thoughtful and instructed reader. Religion,””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Attempting to capture complex domains like art, religion, or science in brief definitions strips them of context, making such definitions meaningless without reader engagement.
In simple terms: Short definitions lose meaning without context.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth, not shortcuts.
Themes
complexity
interpretation
context
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- religious education
- art criticism
- science communication
Key Concepts
epistemology
hermeneutics
philosophy of language
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure context when simplifying ideas?
- When is brevity appropriate?
A Different Perspective
A brief definition may mislead if taken as complete truth.