--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The greatest crimes have been found, in…" description: "\"The greatest crimes have been found, in many instances, to be compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion; hence it is justly regarded as unsafe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/david-hume-538_believe_the-greatest-crimes-have-been-found-in-m_2208005.jpg" --- # The greatest crimes have been found, in many instances, to… ![“The greatest crimes have been found, in many instances, to be compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion; hence it is justly regarded as unsafe to draw any inference in favor of a man's morals, from the fervor or strictness of his religious exercises, even though he himself believe them…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/david-hume-538_believe_the-greatest-crimes-have-been-found-in-m_2208005.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/david-hume-538_believe_the-greatest-crimes-have-been-found-in-m_2208005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ca/david-hume-538_believe_the-greatest-crimes-have-been-found-in-m_2208005.jpg) > “The greatest crimes have been found, in many instances, to be compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion; hence it is justly regarded as unsafe to draw any inference in favor of a man's morals, from the fervor or strictness of his religious exercises, even though he himself believe them sincere.” [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. Moral judgments cannot be reliably inferred from outward religious fervor; piety may mask true character. **In simple terms:** Religious actions don’t prove moral virtue. Key Takeaway Judge character by deeds, not just devotion. Themes morality religion judgment Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - legal testimony - personal relationships - political leadership Key Concepts skepticism ethical inference Questions to Reflect On - How do you assess moral character beyond appearances? - Can piety coexist with moral failings? A Different Perspective Religious devotion can be sincere yet ethically neutral. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Compatible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compatible/) [Compatible Superstitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compatible-superstitious-4877459/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Devotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotion/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Fervor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fervor/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Inference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inference/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Man Morals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-morals-2320091/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Piety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piety/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) [Strictness Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strictness-religious-4877458/) [Superstitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitious/) [Superstitious Piety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitious-piety-4362311/) [Unsafe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unsafe/) ## Related quotes > [“Hence the greatest crimes have been found, in many instances, compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion; Hence, it is justly regarded as unsafe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/hence-the-greatest-crimes-have-been-found-in-many-instances/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Ah, DCI Nelson. 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