Believe Quote by Jane Austen
“It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Pride and Prejudice, 1813
The moral quality of clergy mirrors that of the nation; both are equally flawed or upright.
In simple terms: The nation's character reflects its religious leaders.
Key Takeaway
Hold leaders accountable as they shape society.
Themes
leadership
morality
nation
religion
integrity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
critical commentary
When to use this quote
- community meetings
- political reform
- faith-based initiatives
- media analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
institutional ethics
collective responsibility
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do religious leaders have to society?
- How can citizens ensure moral integrity in leadership?
A Different Perspective
Not all societies have equal moral standards across institutions.
![“There exists indeed an opposition to it [ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college ] by the friends of William and Mary, which is not strong. The most restive is that of the priests of the different religious sects, who dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of day-light; and…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74e/thomas-jefferson-43_clergy_there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it_137072.jpg)
![“The law for religious freedom... [has]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-do_60865.jpg)
![“Everybody is taken in at some period or another. [...] In marriage especially. [...] There is not one in a hundred of either sex, who is not taken in when they marry. Look where I will, I see that it is so; and I feel that it must be so, when I consider that it is, of all transactions, the one in…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37a/jane-austen-39_marriage_everybody-is-taken-in-at-some-period-or_7175.jpg)
