--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Damning, with bell, book and candle /…" description: "\"Damning, with bell, book and candle / Some sinner whose opinions are a scandal. / A rite permitting Satan to enslave him / Forever, and forbidding Chri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_atheism_damning-with-bell-book-and-candle-some-s_662205.jpg" --- # Damning, with bell, book and candle / Some sinner whose… ![“Damning, with bell, book and candle / Some sinner whose opinions are a scandal. / A rite permitting Satan to enslave him / Forever, and forbidding Christ to save him.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_atheism_damning-with-bell-book-and-candle-some-s_662205.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_atheism_damning-with-bell-book-and-candle-some-s_662205.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_atheism_damning-with-bell-book-and-candle-some-s_662205.jpg) > “Damning, with bell, book and candle / Some sinner whose opinions are a scandal. / A rite permitting Satan to enslave him / Forever, and forbidding Christ to save him.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Condemns those who betray their faith for selfish gain, condemning eternal damnation. **In simple terms:** Condemns betrayal of faith for selfish gain. Key Takeaway Reject compromise of core values. Themes faith betrayal eternal consequences morality Mood somber reflective Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - religious preaching - political rhetoric - personal confession Key Concepts theology ethics spirituality Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever compromise values for personal gain? - How does fear of eternal loss shape behavior? A Different Perspective Even the most persuasive arguments cannot override divine judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Bells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Damning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damning/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Rite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rite/) [Satan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satan/) [Scandal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scandal/) ## Related quotes > [Turn over the pages of history and read the damning record of the church's opposition to every advance in every field of science. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/upton-sinclair/turn-over-the-pages-of-history-and-read-the-damning-record-of-the/) [Upton Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/upton-sinclair/) > [Most damning of phrases: He meant well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-r-king/most-damning-of-phrases-he-meant-well/) [Laurie R. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-r-king/) > [JOSS-STICKS- Small sticks burned by the Chinese in their pagan tomfoolery, in imitation of certain sacred rites of our holy religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/joss-sticks-small-sticks-burned-by-the-chinese-in-their-pagan/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [We have built our identities in many respects based on the guilt-ridden stories we have been told about our creation. For women, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gioconda-belli/we-have-built-our-identities-in-many-respects-based-on-the-guilt/) [Gioconda Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gioconda-belli/) > [KISS, n. A word invented by the poets as a rhyme for "bliss." It is supposed to signify, in a general way, some kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/kiss-n-a-word-invented-by-the-poets-as-a-rhyme-for-bliss-it-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [We can actually put the essence of neurosis in a single word: blaming - or damning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/we-can-actually-put-the-essence-of-neurosis-in-a-single-word-blaming/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [When once your point of view is changed, the very thing which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/when-once-your-point-of-view-is-changed-the-very-thing-which-was-so/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Damning taxes is a piece of cake. It's defending them that's hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/damning-taxes-is-a-piece-of-cake-it-s-defending-them-that-s-hard/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [If God came to save the world, why are so many of His professed followers intent on damning it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/if-god-came-to-save-the-world-why-are-so-many-of-his-professed/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [Spiritual deception is dangerous -and damning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/spiritual-deception-is-dangerous-and-damning/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [To be in a world which is a hell, to be of that world and neither to believe in or guess at anything but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/to-be-in-a-world-which-is-a-hell-to-be-of-that-world-and-neither-to/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [“You are most definitely mine," he murmured against my lips. In the heat of the moment, those words warmed me to the core. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-bennett/you-are-most-definitely-mine-he-murmured-against-my-lips-in-the-heat/) [Natalie Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-bennett/) > [“Confession is good for the soul, they say. I'd imagine this is true. But my sins were too convoluted. And from the little I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-karyus-quinn/confession-is-good-for-the-soul-they-say-i-d-imagine-this-is-true-but/) [Kate Karyus Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-karyus-quinn/) > [The damning tho't stuck in my throat and cut me like a knife, That she, whom all my life I'd loved, should be another's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-glassford-bell/the-damning-tho-t-stuck-in-my-throat-and-cut-me-like-a-knife-that-she/) Henry Glassford Bell > [RITE, n. A religious or semi-religious ceremony fixed by law, precept or custom, with the essential oil of sincerity carefully squeezed out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rite-n-a-religious-or-semi-religious-ceremony-fixed-by-law-precept-or/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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