--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nay, if we should suppose, what never…" description: "\"“Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a popular religion were found, in which it was expressly declared, that nothing but morality could..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/david-hume-538_art_nay-if-we-should-suppose-what-never-happ_1413788.jpg" --- # Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a… ![“Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a popular religion were found, in which it was expressly declared, that nothing but morality could gain the divine favor; if an order of priests were instituted to inculcate this opinion, in daily sermons, and with all the arts of persuasion; yet…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/david-hume-538_art_nay-if-we-should-suppose-what-never-happ_1413788.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/david-hume-538_art_nay-if-we-should-suppose-what-never-happ_1413788.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f0/david-hume-538_art_nay-if-we-should-suppose-what-never-happ_1413788.jpg) > ““Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a popular religion were found, in which it was expressly declared, that nothing but morality could gain the divine favor; if an order of priests were instituted to inculcate this opinion, in daily sermons, and with all the arts of persuasion; yet so inveterate are the people’s prejudices, that, for want of some other superstition, they would make the very attendance on these sermons the essentials of religion, rather than place them in virtue and good morals.”” [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion based solely on moral preaching may become a ritual lacking true virtue; people need genuine moral practice beyond sermons. **In simple terms:** Religion without real virtue becomes empty ritual. Key Takeaway Cultivate personal morality, not just attendance. Themes morality religion ritual prejudice authority Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - religious education - public policy - community building - personal development Key Concepts ethical philosophy social psychology Questions to Reflect On - Can rituals ever foster true morality? - How to balance tradition with authentic ethical behavior? A Different Perspective Rituals can still inspire genuine virtue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Morals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morals/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) ## Related quotes > [I shall venture to affirm, that there never was a popular religion, which represented the state of departed souls in such a light,as would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/i-shall-venture-to-affirm-that-there-never-was-a-popular-religion/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [Until we believe that we are as bad as God says we are, we can never believe that He will do for us what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/until-we-believe-that-we-are-as-bad-as-god-says-we-are-we-can-never/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“I admit at the beginning that 'popular religion,' 'demotic religion,' the pieties of the common folk, tends to sink to the lowest common denominator,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markham-shaw-pyle/i-admit-at-the-beginning-that-popular-religion-demotic-religion-the/) [Markham Shaw Pyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markham-shaw-pyle/) > [When you can discover where the fresh colors of the faded flower abide, or the music of the broken lyre, seek life among the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/when-you-can-discover-where-the-fresh-colors-of-the-faded-flower/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Since the Enlightenment, popular religion has rejected the Enlightenment path and transformed itself into a bastion of resistance against reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/since-the-enlightenment-popular-religion-has-rejected-the/) [Allen W. 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