Metaphor Quote by John Dominic Crossan
““When a metaphor gets big, it is called “tradition”; when it gets bigger, it is called “reality”;””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Historical Jesus, 1998
Metaphors grow into accepted customs, then into unquestioned reality, blurring truth and belief.
In simple terms: Metaphors become reality.
Key Takeaway
Question accepted norms.
Themes
tradition
reality
perception
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- politics
- religion
- media narratives
- public policy
Key Concepts
social construction
truth formation
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a metaphor become harmful?
- Can we distinguish myth from fact?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex cultural evolution.
![“The sense of tragedy - according to Aristotle - comes, ironically enough, not from the protagonist's weak points but from his good qualities. Do you know what I'm getting at? People are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues. ... [But] we accept irony through a device…” quote by Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa9/haruki-murakami-21_accepting_the-sense-of-tragedy-according-to-aristo_23796.jpg)
