Chance Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“There is no cruelty so inexorable and unrelenting as that which proceeds from a bigoted and presumptuous supposition of doing service to God. The victim of the fanatical persecutor will find that the stronger the motives he can urge for mercy are, the weaker will be his chance for obtaining it, for the merit of his destruction will be supposed to rise in value in proportion as it is effected at the expense of every feeling both of justice and of humanity.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays on the Moral and Political, 1820
Extreme cruelty stems from dogmatic belief in divine service, where persecutors justify violence as moral.
In simple terms: Dogmatic belief can cause severe cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral justification behind extreme actions.
Themes
religion
morality
persecution
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political rhetoric
- religious conflicts
- legal judgments
Key Concepts
dogmatism
justice
humanity
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral frameworks can prevent such cruelty?
- How can societies balance faith and human rights?
A Different Perspective
Blind faith can excuse inhumanity and suppress empathy.
