--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: but it was a religion which enabled him…" description: "\"“but it was a religion which enabled him to despise himself and everyone else without despising the universe, thus allowing him at once in argument or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/charles-williams-12379_communication_but-it-was-a-religion-which-enabled-him_3217701.jpg" --- # but it was a religion which enabled him to despise himself… ![“but it was a religion which enabled him to despise himself and everyone else without despising the universe, thus allowing him at once in argument or conversation to the advantages of the pessimist and the optimist.” quote by Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/charles-williams-12379_communication_but-it-was-a-religion-which-enabled-him_3217701.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/charles-williams-12379_communication_but-it-was-a-religion-which-enabled-him_3217701.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/charles-williams-12379_communication_but-it-was-a-religion-which-enabled-him_3217701.jpg) > ““but it was a religion which enabled him to despise himself and everyone else without despising the universe, thus allowing him at once in argument or conversation to the advantages of the pessimist and the optimist.”” [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He uses religion to detach from self and others while still caring for the universe, gaining both pessimistic and optimistic arguments. **In simple terms:** Religion lets him ignore self and others but value the world. Key Takeaway Recognize when belief shields you from self‑criticism. Themes self‑detachment philosophy optimism pessimism Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal reflection - debate - ethical discussions Key Concepts existentialism self‑concept moral relativism Questions to Reflect On - How does this belief affect your relationships? - Can you balance detachment with accountability? A Different Perspective May lead to neglect of personal responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Pessimist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimist/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [Religion enabled society to organise itself to debate goodness, just as Greek drama had once done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bond/religion-enabled-society-to-organise-itself-to-debate-goodness-just/) [Edward Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bond/) > [The merchant must be no more pessimist than optimist, since pessimism induces him to hold back his capital but optimism induces him to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/the-merchant-must-be-no-more-pessimist-than-optimist-since-pessimism/) [W. E. B. 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