---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only…"
description: "\"Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them. He is the only animal t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg"
---

#  Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious…

![“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg)

> “Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven.”

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote critiques humanity's paradoxical nature: capable of deep religious devotion and moral ideals, yet often causing widespread harm through misguided zeal.

**In simple terms:** Humans claim moral superiority but often damage the world.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and temper dogmatic impulses.

Themes

religion human nature paradox morality environment

Mood

reflective critical somber

Type

philosophical commentary satire

When to use this quote

- political activism
- environmental policy
- interfaith dialogue
- education reform

Key Concepts

anthropology ethics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you reconcile faith with responsibility?
- What limits should be placed on religious authority?

A Different Perspective

Human actions can be both altruistic and destructive, requiring balance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [True religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-religion/)

## Related quotes

> [Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion--several of them. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the-2/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Man is the religious animal. He is the only one that's got true religion, several of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-holbrook/man-is-the-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-one-that-s-got-true/)

[Hal Holbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-holbrook/)

> [Man is the only religious animal. In the Holy task of smoothing his brother's path to the happiness of heaven, he has turned the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/man-is-the-only-religious-animal-in-the-holy-task-of-smoothing-his/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [“JAM1.26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jam1-26-if-any-man-among-you-seem-to-be-religious-and-bridleth-not/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“You can't really trust any man who is religious. If your interests conflict with the religion the man breaks his word and betrays you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-really-trust-any-man-who-is-religious-if-your-interests/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The test of a man’s religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/the-test-of-a-man-s-religious-life-and-character-is-not-what-he-does/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

> [“They all make up new species of crime and bring unhappiness in their train. When I hear a man is religious , I conclude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/they-all-make-up-new-species-of-crime-and-bring-unhappiness-in-their/)

[David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/)

> [Religion is not a matter of God, church, holy cause, etc. These are but accessories. The source of religious preoccupation is in the self,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/religion-is-not-a-matter-of-god-church-holy-cause-etc-these-are-but/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [The dog is a religious animal. In his savage state he worships the moon and the lights that float upon the waters. These are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/the-dog-is-a-religious-animal-in-his-savage-state-he-worships-the/)

[Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/)

> [“We know, and it is our pride to know, that man is by his constitution a religious animal; that atheism is against, not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-colson/we-know-and-it-is-our-pride-to-know-that-man-is-by-his-constitution-a/)

[Charles W. Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-w-colson/)

> [Man is by his constitution a religious animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/man-is-by-his-constitution-a-religious-animal/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [Man is by his constitution a religious animal; atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/man-is-by-his-constitution-a-religious-animal-atheism-is-against-not/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [I'm a mom, so I have to be comfortable. Jeans are a staple - I have way too many in my closet! It's warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-a-mom-so-i-have-to-be-comfortable-jeans-are-a-staple-i-have-way/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [All my life I have preserved in the depths of my heart a live faith in my Creator, the Defender of the World, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-my-life-i-have-preserved-in-the-depths-of-my-heart-a-live-faith/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Anonymous

> [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More Happiness quotes

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/)

[Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/)

> [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/)

[MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/)

> [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/)

[Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/)

> [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/)

[Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/)

> [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/)

[Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/)

> [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/)

[Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [I've got nothing to do today but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-got-nothing-to-do-today-but-smile/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/her-dignity-consists-in-being-unknown-to-the-world-her-glory-is-in/)

[Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/)

> [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/positive-thinking-evokes-more-energy-more-initiative-more-happiness/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/)

Pancho Barnes

[Browse all 40,288 Happiness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anonymous"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the-3/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Happiness"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the-3/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/anonymous-1_happiness_man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only_1405691.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion…” — Anonymous",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Anonymous",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Man is a Religious Animal. He...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the-3/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-is-a-religious-animal-he-is-the-only-religious-animal-he-is-the-3/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
