Anguish Quote by Irving Kristol
“If God does not exist, and if religion is an illusion that the majority of men cannot live without ... let men believe in the lies of religion since they cannot do without them, and let then a handful of sages, who know the truth and can live with it, keep it among themselves. Men are then divided into the wise and the foolish, the philosophers and the common men, and atheism becomes a guarded, esoteric doctrine - for if the illusions of religion were to be discredited, there is no telling with what madness men would be seized, with what uncontrollable anguish.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Conservative Mind, 1951
If God does not exist, religion may be kept as a useful illusion for most, while a few wise keep the truth secret, preventing societal chaos.
In simple terms: Religion as a comforting lie for most; truth hidden by few.
Key Takeaway
Preserve social stability, but beware of deception.
Themes
religion
truth
societal stability
wisdom
illusion
Mood
anxious
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education
- mental health
- community leadership
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ethical to hide truth for stability?
- What are the risks of a society built on illusion?
A Different Perspective
Relying on deception can erode trust and intellectual freedom.
![“[Conservatism:] Our revolutionary message... is that a self-disciplined people can create a political community in which an ordered liberty will promote both economic prosperity and political participation.” quote by Irving Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/90e/irving-kristol-14064_community_conservatism-our-revolutionary-message-i_148742.jpg)
