Bible Quote by Bruce Barton
“Voltaire spoke of the Bible as a short-lived book. He said that within a hundred years it would pass from common use. Not many people read Voltaire today, but his house has been packed with Bibles as a depot of a Bible society.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Bruce Barton, 1920s public address
Voltaire predicted the Bible would become obsolete within a century, yet it endures, showing the difficulty of forecasting cultural longevity.
In simple terms: Predictions about cultural relevance often fail.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about lasting impact.
Themes
history
cultural change
prediction
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- publishing industry
- education curricula
- media trends
Key Concepts
ephemerality
religion
societal values
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors contribute to a work’s lasting influence?
- How do predictions shape our treatment of cultural artifacts?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks the role of institutional support in preserving texts.
