--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Idolatry is committed, not merely by…" description: "\"Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic la..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_alcohol_idolatry-is-committed-not-merely-by-sett_2701621.png" --- # Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false… ![“Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice.” quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_alcohol_idolatry-is-committed-not-merely-by-sett_2701621.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_alcohol_idolatry-is-committed-not-merely-by-sett_2701621.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_alcohol_idolatry-is-committed-not-merely-by-sett_2701621.png) > “Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice.” [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True idolatry lies in fearing worldly powers instead of spiritual decay and moral cowardice. **In simple terms:** People worship false threats, ignoring inner corruption. Key Takeaway Focus on spiritual integrity over external fears. Themes faith morality idolatry fear integrity Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - political activism - personal ethics - religious practice - social commentary Key Concepts spiritual corruption cowardice false idols Questions to Reflect On - What internal values are you neglecting? - How can you confront moral cowardice? A Different Perspective Spiritual concerns can be abstract and hard to act on directly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol/) [Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committed/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Corruption Cowardice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption-cowardice-2738110/) [Cowardice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowardice/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [False Devils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-devils-2738111/) [False gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-gods/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Idolatry Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry-committed-2738108/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/) [Settings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/settings/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-corruption-2738109/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The real sin of idolatry is always committed on behalf of something similar to the State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/the-real-sin-of-idolatry-is-always-committed-on-behalf-of-something/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Like all idolatries, democratism substitutes a false god for the real, a love of process for a love of country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/like-all-idolatries-democratism-substitutes-a-false-god-for-the-real/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. 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