--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wisdom: The first error is that of the…" description: "\"Wisdom: The first error is that of the southern people, and it consists in holding that these eastern and western places are real places. ... give no q..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/c-s-lewis-2-132_believe_wisdom-the-first-error-is-that-of-the-so_112089.png" --- # Wisdom: The first error is that of the southern people… ![“Wisdom: The first error is that of the southern people, and it consists in holding that these eastern and western places are real places. ... give no quarter to that thought, whether it threatens you with fear, or tempts you with hopes. For this is Superstition and all who believe it will come in…” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/c-s-lewis-2-132_believe_wisdom-the-first-error-is-that-of-the-so_112089.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/c-s-lewis-2-132_believe_wisdom-the-first-error-is-that-of-the-so_112089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/c-s-lewis-2-132_believe_wisdom-the-first-error-is-that-of-the-so_112089.png) > “Wisdom: The first error is that of the southern people, and it consists in holding that these eastern and western places are real places. ... give no quarter to that thought, whether it threatens you with fear, or tempts you with hopes. For this is Superstition and all who believe it will come in the end to the swamps to the south and the jungles to the far south. Part of the same error is to think that the Landlord is a real man” [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage warns against treating abstract concepts or distant places as concrete realities, urging rejection of superstition and false personifications. **In simple terms:** Don’t mistake ideas or distant lands for literal, tangible things. Key Takeaway Avoid reifying abstractions and superstitious beliefs. Themes philosophy metaphysics critical thinking Mood cautionary skeptical Type philosophical observation When to use this quote - political rhetoric that treats nations as monolithic - religious doctrines that personify deities - marketing that presents brands as living entities Key Concepts reification illusion Practical Applications - Question underlying assumptions before accepting claims - Use precise language to describe abstract concepts Questions to Reflect On - When does personifying an idea help understanding? - How can we balance metaphor with factual clarity? A Different Perspective Some symbolic language can be useful for communication; dismissing all personification may limit expressive nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Jungle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jungle/) [Landlord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/landlord/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Real man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-man/) [Real men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-men/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Swamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swamps/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-shall-yet-acknowledge-his-wisdom-and-our-own-error-therein/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Doubt is a powerful tool. 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