Such is the passage, x. 14, where, after giving an account…
““Such is the passage, x. 14, where, after giving an account that the sun stood still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, at the command of Joshua, (a tale only fit to amuse children). This tale of the sun standing still upon Motint Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, is one of those fables that detects itself. Such a circumstance could not have happened without being known all over the world. One half would have wondered why the sun did not rise, and the other why it did not set; and the tradition of it would be universal; whereas there is not a nation in the world that knows anything about it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Paing critiques a biblical story as a myth that would be universally known if true, highlighting how such tales spread and become cultural touchstones despite lacking evidence.
In simple terms: He calls the story a myth that would be known everywhere if true.
Key Takeaway
Question the historicity of widely accepted myths.
Themes
mythology
culture
history
skepticism
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
critical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- religious education
- media analysis
- public discourse
Key Concepts
religion
folklore
collective memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a myth endure across cultures?
- How do we differentiate myth from history?
A Different Perspective
Such stories may persist regardless of factual accuracy.