--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there be a mind that, not perceiving…" description: "\"If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives we have compared the fingermarks of tradition, and hence the legendary character of these eva..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png" --- # If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives… ![“If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives we have compared the fingermarks of tradition, and hence the legendary character of these evangelical anecdotes, still leans to the historical interpretation, whether natural or supernatural; that mind must be alike ignorant of the true…” quote by David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png) > “If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives we have compared the fingermarks of tradition, and hence the legendary character of these evangelical anecdotes, still leans to the historical interpretation, whether natural or supernatural; that mind must be alike ignorant of the true character both of legend and of history, of the natural and the supernatural.” [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that a mind that dismisses both legend and history, natural and supernatural, is ignorant of their true nature. **In simple terms:** Ignoring both legend and history shows ignorance. Key Takeaway Recognize both myth and fact. Themes history history mythology epistemology Mood introspective critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic study - historical research - theological debate - literary analysis - cultural criticism Key Concepts legend history natural supernatural Questions to Reflect On - How do legends shape our understanding of history? - Can myth and fact coexist? A Different Perspective Such a view may oversimplify complex narratives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alike Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alike-ignorant-4511826/) [Anecdotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anecdotes/) [Anecdotes Leans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anecdotes-leans-4511825/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Evangelical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelical/) [Evangelical Anecdotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelical-anecdotes-4511827/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Historical Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-interpretation-4511824/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Legendary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legendary/) [Legends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legends/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Perceiving Narratives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceiving-narratives-4511828/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [True character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-character/) ## Related quotes > [“Love for others is the foundation of leadership. Simplicity is the language of leadership. Authenticity is the true character of leadership.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farshad-asl/love-for-others-is-the-foundation-of-leadership-simplicity-is-the/) [Farshad Asl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farshad-asl/) > [Our true character is that person we become when no one is watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/our-true-character-is-that-person-we-become-when-no-one-is-watching/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Some say knowledge is power, but that is not true. Character is power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/some-say-knowledge-is-power-but-that-is-not-true-character-is-power/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [The very act of focusing on our flaws and imperfections pull us away from our true character, and instead of focusing on what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jreyes/the-very-act-of-focusing-on-our-flaws-and-imperfections-pull-us-away/) [JREYES](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jreyes/) > [Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man's real nature, money is of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-halverson/jesus-christ-said-more-about-money-than-about-any-other-single-thing/) [Richard Halverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-halverson/) > [“-“The greatest discovery of this generation is the knowledge that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude of mind” William James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sekou-obadias/the-greatest-discovery-of-this-generation-is-the-knowledge-that-human/) [Sekou Obadias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sekou-obadias/) > [The cross is like a walnut whose outer rind is bitter, but the inner kernel is pleasant and invigorating. So the cross does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhu-sundar-singh/the-cross-is-like-a-walnut-whose-outer-rind-is-bitter-but-the-inner/) [Sadhu Sundar Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhu-sundar-singh/) > [I'm pulling out different aspects of my personality in writing each character and, if I'm doing my job well, I'm being true to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/i-m-pulling-out-different-aspects-of-my-personality-in-writing-each/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [The true character of ministry is a servants heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-character-of-ministry-is-a-servants-heart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the ways to find your true CHARACTER is to evaluate how you behave and perform your deeds when you are alone or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/one-of-the-ways-to-find-your-true-character-is-to-evaluate-how-you/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [Maybe you have to live under cover for a while before you can find your true character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-hamilton/maybe-you-have-to-live-under-cover-for-a-while-before-you-can-find/) [Hugo Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-hamilton/) > [“Leadership is built on true character! You lose your leadership when you fake your character. The degree of leadership potential a person can expose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/leadership-is-built-on-true-character-you-lose-your-leadership-when/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [It's the misfortune of German authors that not a single one of them dares to expose his true character. Everyone thinks that he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/it-s-the-misfortune-of-german-authors-that-not-a-single-one-of-them/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [“It is never too late to show true character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-courtney/it-is-never-too-late-to-show-true-character/) [Bill Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-courtney/) > [In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/in-the-following-pages-i-offer-nothing-more-than-simple-facts-plain/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More by David Friedrich Strauss > [The author is aware that the essence of the Christian faith is perfectly independent of his criticism. The supernatural birth of Christ, his miracles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/the-author-is-aware-that-the-essence-of-the-christian-faith-is/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [...centre of the centre, the real heart of Christianity as it has been until now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/centre-of-the-centre-the-real-heart-of-christianity-as-it-has-been/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [For productive collaboration adopt five principles: involve the relevant stakeholders, build consensus phase by phase, design a process map, designate a process facilitator and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/for-productive-collaboration-adopt-five-principles-involve-the/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [The world ultimately is what we say it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/the-world-ultimately-is-what-we-say-it-is/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [If God and man are in themselves one, and if religion is the human side of this unity then must this unity be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/if-god-and-man-are-in-themselves-one-and-if-religion-is-the-human/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [The designation of the locality in one excludes the appearances narrated by the rest; the determination of time in another leaves no space for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/the-designation-of-the-locality-in-one-excludes-the-appearances/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) > [The supernatural birth of Christ, his miracles, his resurrection and ascension, remain eternal truths, whatever doubts may be cast on their reality as historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/the-supernatural-birth-of-christ-his-miracles-his-resurrection-and/) [David Friedrich Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) [Explore all 8 David Friedrich Strauss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/) ## More Anecdotes quotes > [“There was a skill to organizing your life into neatly bundled anecdotes, and he lacked it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-sakey/there-was-a-skill-to-organizing-your-life-into-neatly-bundled/) [Marcus Sakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-sakey/) > [Art to me is an anecdote of the spirit,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/art-to-me-is-an-anecdote-of-the-spirit/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [There comes a point where certain things are becoming my Achilles heel; you know when you start repeating yourself and saying the same anecdotes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elson/there-comes-a-point-where-certain-things-are-becoming-my-achilles/) [Karen Elson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elson/) > [Why should I ever get fed up talking about my father? He was a brilliant, colorful man who left us with thousands of memories.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-huston/why-should-i-ever-get-fed-up-talking-about-my-father-he-was-a/) [Danny Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-huston/) > [If you would stick to the concrete, and put your discoveries in the form of entertaining anecdotes about your adventures with women, your conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/if-you-would-stick-to-the-concrete-and-put-your-discoveries-in-the/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Painters were also attorneys, happy storytellers of anecdote, psychologists, botanists, zoologists, archaeologists, engineers, but there were no creative painters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazimir-malevich/painters-were-also-attorneys-happy-storytellers-of-anecdote/) [Kazimir Malevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazimir-malevich/) > [Art isn't anecdote. It's the consciousness we bring to bear in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/art-isn-t-anecdote-it-s-the-consciousness-we-bring-to-bear-in-our/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [Something about the possession of a book - an object that can contain infinite fables, words of wisdom, chronicles of times gone by, humorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-manguel/something-about-the-possession-of-a-book-an-object-that-can-contain/) [Alberto Manguel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-manguel/) > [Men grind and grind in the mill of a truism, and nothing comes out but what was put in. But the moment they desert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-grind-and-grind-in-the-mill-of-a-truism-and-nothing-comes-out-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Anecdote: The extent of Michael Jackson's fame at its height, and his eagerness to exploit it is shown by an incident in 1984 when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/anecdote-the-extent-of-michael-jackson-s-fame-at-its-height-and-his/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [I don't have a lot of thrilling anecdotes about my career or personal life. All the stuff that is interesting is private and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-thrilling-anecdotes-about-my-career-or-personal/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [Life divides into amazing enjoyable times and appalling experiences that will make future amazing anecdotes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/life-divides-into-amazing-enjoyable-times-and-appalling-experiences/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [I write and write and write, and then I edit it down to the parts that I think are amusing, or that help the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-yankovic/i-write-and-write-and-write-and-then-i-edit-it-down-to-the-parts-that/) [Al Yankovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-yankovic/) > [If you notice phrases, ideas, and anecdotes that closely resemble those that appear elsewhere in my writing, it's not a matter of sloppy editing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-you-notice-phrases-ideas-and-anecdotes-that-closely-resemble-those/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [At the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, Sanford Meisner said, 'When you go into the professional world, at a stock theatre somewhere, backstage, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/at-the-neighborhood-playhouse-school-of-theatre-sanford-meisner-said/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) [Browse all 180 Anecdotes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anecdotes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives we have compared the fingermarks of tradition, and hence the legendary character of these evangelical anecdotes, still leans to the historical interpretation, whether natural or supernatural; that mind must be alike ignorant of the true character both of legend and of history, of the natural and the supernatural.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Friedrich Strauss" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-in-the-narratives-we-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anecdotes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-in-the-narratives-we-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/david-friedrich-strauss-46738_anecdotes_if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-i_2149349.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If there be a mind that, not perceiving in the narratives we have compared the fingermarks of tradition, and…” — David Friedrich Strauss", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Friedrich Strauss", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedrich-strauss/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If there be a mind that,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-in-the-narratives-we-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedrich-strauss/if-there-be-a-mind-that-not-perceiving-in-the-narratives-we-have/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```