They have their belief, these poor Tibet people, that…
“They have their belief, these poor Tibet people, that Providence sends down always an Incarnation of Himself into every generation. At bottom some belief in a kind of Pope! At bottom still better, a belief that there is a Greatest Man; that he is discoverable; that, once discovered, we ought to treat him with an obedience which knows no bounds. This is the truth of Grand Lamaism; the "discoverability" is the only error here.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often worship a charismatic leader as a divine incarnation, mistaking reverence for blind obedience.
In simple terms: Blind devotion to leaders can be dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Question leaders critically.
Themes
authority
faith
leadership
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political movements
- religious sects
- charismatic CEOs
- social media influencers
Key Concepts
cult of personality
hero worship
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports a leader's claims?
- How can we balance respect and skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Charismatic leaders can be fallible and harmful.