--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the subject is sacred, proud and…" description: "\"“When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come to think that the outsiders who don't know it are not merely inferior to them in skill but l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/c-s-lewis-121_education_when-the-subject-is-sacred-proud-and-cle_306186.jpg" --- # When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come… ![“When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come to think that the outsiders who don't know it are not merely inferior to them in skill but lower in God's eyes; as the priests said, 'All that rabble who are not experts in the Torah are accursed.' and as this pride increases, the 'subject'…” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/c-s-lewis-121_education_when-the-subject-is-sacred-proud-and-cle_306186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/c-s-lewis-121_education_when-the-subject-is-sacred-proud-and-cle_306186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d6/c-s-lewis-121_education_when-the-subject-is-sacred-proud-and-cle_306186.jpg) > ““When the subject is sacred, proud and clever men may come to think that the outsiders who don't know it are not merely inferior to them in skill but lower in God's eyes; as the priests said, 'All that rabble who are not experts in the Torah are accursed.' and as this pride increases, the 'subject' or study which confers such privilege will grow more and more complicated, the list of things forbidden will increase, till to get through a single day without supposed sin becomes like an elaborate step-dance, and this horrible network breeds self-righteousness in some and haunting anxiety in others.”” [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a discipline is deemed sacred, its experts may deem outsiders inferior, creating complex rules that cause both self‑righteousness and anxiety. **In simple terms:** Experts can make a field feel exclusive, leading to pride and fear. Key Takeaway Beware elitism; simplify standards. Themes elitism religion anxiety pride exclusivity Mood critical reflective concerned Type philosophical ethical observational When to use this quote - academic settings - religious communities - professional guilds - online forums - educational curricula Key Concepts dogmatism social hierarchy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does exclusivity affect community health? - What can simplify overly rigid standards? 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