It is likely ... that human society cannot exist without…
“It is likely ... that human society cannot exist without some source of sacredness. Those states which have sought openly to remove it have tended in the end to assume divinity themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society needs a sense of the sacred; removing it leads to self‑deification.
In simple terms: Society needs sacredness; without it, power becomes divine.
Key Takeaway
Preserve sacred values to prevent authoritarian self‑worship.
Themes
society
power
religion
ethics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political movements
- religious reforms
- civic education
- community rituals
Key Concepts
Sacredness
authority
secularism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sacredness shape collective identity?
- What alternatives exist to replace lost sacredness?
A Different Perspective
Sacredness can be reinterpreted, not eliminated.