Arcs Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“The brilliant Schiller was wrong in his Joan of Arc when he said against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. It is actually by means of the gods that we make our stupidity and gullibility into something ineffable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Moral Landscape of Religion,” 2004
He argues that divine beings are blamed for stupidity, yet humans create their own folly through belief.
In simple terms: Human folly is self‑generated, not divine.
Key Takeaway
Question the role of gods in rational thought.
Themes
religion
human folly
philosophy
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Debate
- academic discourse
- personal belief
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
Theology
critical reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you see divine influence as a cause or excuse for error?
- How does belief shape your understanding of stupidity?
A Different Perspective
Faith can provide comfort despite logical critiques.
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