--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We moderns do not believe in demigods…" description: "\"We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.\" — Gotthold Ephraim Lessing" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_believe_we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-bu_411485.jpg" --- # We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest… ![“We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.” quote by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_believe_we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-bu_411485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_believe_we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-bu_411485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_believe_we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-bu_411485.jpg) > “We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.” [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern people lack belief in heroes, yet they still expect extraordinary behavior from ordinary individuals. **In simple terms:** People expect heroics despite not believing in heroes. Key Takeaway Recognize ordinary people’s capacity for greatness. Themes heroism modernity expectations Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical social When to use this quote - leadership - team dynamics - personal ambition Key Concepts existentialism social pressure Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance expectations with reality? - When should you demand extraordinary effort? A Different Perspective Idealizing heroes can create unrealistic standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Demigods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demigods/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Heroism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroism/) ## Related quotes > [One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-one-should-live-like-a/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [I don't feel that way anymore," Nico muttered. "I mean... I gave up on Percy. I was young and impressionable, and I- I don't..."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-don-t-feel-that-way-anymore-nico-muttered-i-mean-i-gave-up-on-percy-2/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The rude beginnings of every art acquire a greater celebrity than the art in perfection; he who first played the fiddle was looked upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-rude-beginnings-of-every-art-acquire-a-greater-celebrity-than-the/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I fear that we are such gods or demigods only as fauns and satyrs, the divine allied to beasts, the creatures of appetite, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-fear-that-we-are-such-gods-or-demigods-only-as-fauns-and-satyrs-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“You're a goddess among those who think themselves demigods.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-c-cast/you-re-a-goddess-among-those-who-think-themselves-demigods/) [P.C. Cast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-c-cast/) > [Jason's fingers itched to draw his sword. He'd met plenty of scary demigods, but he was starting to realize that Nico di Angelo--as pale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/jason-s-fingers-itched-to-draw-his-sword-he-d-met-plenty-of-scary/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I have you – a god of mixed heritage – on an expedition that could unleash the Destroyer from her hole. Arikos, another god,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-have-you-a-god-of-mixed-heritage-on-an-expedition-that-could/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [ Aphrodite,” \[Annabeth\] said. “Venus?” Hazel asked in amazement. “Mom,” Piper said with no enthusiasm. “Girls!” The goddess spread her arms like she wanted a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/aphrodite-annabeth-said-venus-hazel-asked-in-amazement-mom-piper-said/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [That's what being a demigod was all about, not quite belonging in the mortal world or on Mount Olympus but trying to make peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-s-what-being-a-demigod-was-all-about-not-quite-belonging-in-the/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-sorry-they-began-their-deliberations-by-so-abominable-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy mountain cliff in Maine, Percy Jackson protecting them from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/images-flashed-through-his-mind-he-saw-nico-and-his-sister-on-a-snowy/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I was flying right toward him (the pig) at the speed of demigod-smashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-was-flying-right-toward-him-the-pig-at-the-speed-of-demigod-smashing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The impression that you are a demigod worried me. I wanted to be like an ordinary human being with virtues and vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/the-impression-that-you-are-a-demigod-worried-me-i-wanted-to-be-like/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [To reveal imprudently the spot where we are most sensitive and vulnerable is to invite a blow. The demigod Achilles admitted no one to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/to-reveal-imprudently-the-spot-where-we-are-most-sensitive-and/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll." These demigods will also need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/and-now-sis-transportation-for-the-hunters-you-say-good-timing-i-was/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing > [To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/to-look-forward-to-pleasure-is-also-a-pleasure/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [They make glorious shipwreck who are lost in seeking worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/they-make-glorious-shipwreck-who-are-lost-in-seeking-worlds/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/a-single-grateful-thought-toward-heaven-is-the-most-perfect-prayer/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Mocking laughter from Hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/mocking-laughter-from-hell/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-superstition-in-which-we-were-brought-up-never-loses-its-power/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/he-who-doesn-t-lose-his-wits-over-certain-things-has-no-wits-to-lose/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Joy makes us giddy, dizzy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/joy-makes-us-giddy-dizzy/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The real beggar is indeed the true and only king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-real-beggar-is-indeed-the-true-and-only-king/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Well was it said by a man of sagacity that dancing was a sort of privileged and reputable folly, and that the best way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/well-was-it-said-by-a-man-of-sagacity-that-dancing-was-a-sort-of/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Resist as much as thou wilt; heaven's ways are heaven's ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/resist-as-much-as-thou-wilt-heaven-s-ways-are-heaven-s-ways/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The gift of prayer is not always at our command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-gift-of-prayer-is-not-always-at-our-command/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [It is medicine, not poison, I offer you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/it-is-medicine-not-poison-i-offer-you/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The lion is ashamed, it's true, when he hunts with the fox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-lion-is-ashamed-it-s-true-when-he-hunts-with-the-fox/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [With a clear sky, a bright sun, and a gentle breeze, you will have friends in plenty; but let fortune frown, and the firmament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/with-a-clear-sky-a-bright-sun-and-a-gentle-breeze-you-will-have/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [I, who ne'erWent for myself a begging, go a borrowing,And that for others. Borrowing's much the sameAs begging; just as lending upon usuryIs much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/i-who-ne-erwent-for-myself-a-begging-go-a-borrowing-and-that-for/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) [Explore all 68 Gotthold Ephraim Lessing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. 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I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. 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