--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted…" description: "\"“They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted about what had to be done with the library of Alexandria, answered as follows: 'If the books of this library..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0b/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_absurdity_they-say-that-caliph-omar-when-consulted_294545.jpg" --- # They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted about what had… ![“They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted about what had to be done with the library of Alexandria, answered as follows: 'If the books of this library contain matters opposed to the Koran, they are bad and must be burned. If they contain only the doctrine of the Koran, burn them anyway, for they…” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0b/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_absurdity_they-say-that-caliph-omar-when-consulted_294545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0b/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_absurdity_they-say-that-caliph-omar-when-consulted_294545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0b/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_absurdity_they-say-that-caliph-omar-when-consulted_294545.jpg) > ““They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted about what had to be done with the library of Alexandria, answered as follows: 'If the books of this library contain matters opposed to the Koran, they are bad and must be burned. If they contain only the doctrine of the Koran, burn them anyway, for they are superfluous.' Our learned men have cited this reasoning as the height of absurdity. However, suppose Gregory the Great was there instead of Omar and the Gospel instead of the Koran. The library would still have been burned, and that might well have been the finest moment in the life of this illustrious pontiff.”” [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rousseau critiques the paradox of destroying knowledge to protect doctrine, showing that such reasoning leads to absurd outcomes regardless of religion. **In simple terms:** Destroying books to protect faith is illogical. Key Takeaway Question the logic behind censoring knowledge. Themes religion knowledge paradox censorship Mood critical reflective Type philosophical satirical When to use this quote - library preservation - academic freedom - religious policy - cultural heritage - education Key Concepts philosophy historical anecdote Questions to Reflect On - What drives societies to destroy knowledge? - Can faith coexist with open inquiry? A Different Perspective The quote oversimplifies complex historical motives and may misrepresent actual events. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurdity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity/) [Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexandria/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Koran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/koran/) [Library](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/library/) [Quran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quran/) [Science vs religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-vs-religion/) ## Related quotes > [“How DARE you and the rest of your barbarians set fire to my library? Play conqueror all you want, Mighty Caesar ! 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