--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Believing, as they now did, that the…" description: "\"“Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much absorbed in the cultivation of religion and so de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png" --- # Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took… ![“Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much absorbed in the cultivation of religion and so deeply imbued with the sense of their religious duties, that the sanctity of an oath had more power to control their lives than the fear of punishment…” quote by Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png) > ““Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much absorbed in the cultivation of religion and so deeply imbued with the sense of their religious duties, that the sanctity of an oath had more power to control their lives than the fear of punishment for lawbreaking.”” [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People trusted divine oaths more than legal penalties, letting religion dominate moral control. **In simple terms:** Religion guided behavior more than law. Key Takeaway Balance faith with civic responsibility. Themes religion law morality authority Mood analytical thoughtful Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - legal systems - community governance Key Concepts ancient history ethics social control Questions to Reflect On - How would modern societies balance faith and law? - What are the risks of over‑reliance on religious authority? A Different Perspective Relying solely on belief can ignore practical enforcement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Political philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-philosophy/) [Political science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-science/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [Even the heavenly powers and the angels in their splendor and the principalities, both visible and invisible, must either believe in the Blood of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-antioch/even-the-heavenly-powers-and-the-angels-in-their-splendor-and-the/) [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-antioch/) > [“Strange is the riddle of this life of ours! Who knows the meaning of the heavenly powers? Great Caesar's wounds bleed yearly in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-khayy-m/strange-is-the-riddle-of-this-life-of-ours-who-knows-the-meaning-of/) [Omar Khayyám](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-khayy-m/) > [Who never ate his bread in sorrow, Who never spent the darksome hours Weeping, and watching for the morrow,- He knows you not, ye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/who-never-ate-his-bread-in-sorrow-who-never-spent-the-darksome-hours-2/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Personal and relative duties must be done in obedience to his commands, with due aim at pleasing and honouring him, from principles of holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/personal-and-relative-duties-must-be-done-in-obedience-to-his/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [“When we carry out our "religious duties" we are like people digging channels in a waterless land, in order that when at last water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/when-we-carry-out-our-religious-duties-we-are-like-people-digging/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of humans; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-believe-in-one-god-and-no-more-and-i-hope-for-happiness-beyond-this/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“I believe in the equality of man, and I believe that religious duties consist of doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-believe-in-the-equality-of-man-and-i-believe-that-religious-duties/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“It is your duty,' he said, 'to recover your country not by gold but by the sword. You will be fighting with all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/it-is-your-duty-he-said-to-recover-your-country-not-by-gold-but-by/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“Now I would solicit the particular attention of those numerous people who imagine that money is everything in this world, and that rank and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/now-i-would-solicit-the-particular-attention-of-those-numerous-people/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“Destiny had decreed that the Gauls were still to feel the true meaning of Roman valor, for when the raiders started on their mission…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/destiny-had-decreed-that-the-gauls-were-still-to-feel-the-true/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“While you're governing the colony and I'm writing political philosophy, They'll never guess that in the darkness of night we sneak into each other's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/while-you-re-governing-the-colony-and-i-m-writing-political/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“There is more that unites us than divides us. So make it a point to talk with someone who is different from you. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-corn/there-is-more-that-unites-us-than-divides-us-so-make-it-a-point-to/) [Johnny Corn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-corn/) > [“When you fear nothing, you have nothing to fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-f-chandler/when-you-fear-nothing-you-have-nothing-to-fear/) S.F. Chandler > [ People of Haiti, I am the heir to the political philosophy, the doctrine and the revolution which my late father incarnated as president-for-life \[and\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-duvalier/people-of-haiti-i-am-the-heir-to-the-political-philosophy-the/) [Jean-Claude Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-duvalier/) > [Anarchism as a political philosophy seeks to dissolve all forms of authority and power, and if possible, wishes their complete abolition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/anarchism-as-a-political-philosophy-seeks-to-dissolve-all-forms-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## More by Livy > [Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/present-sufferings-seem-far-greater-to-men-than-those-they-merely/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-study-of-history-is-the-best-medicine-for-a-sick-mind/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“Servius Sulpicius and M. Tullius were consuls the next year: nothing worth mentioning happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/servius-sulpicius-and-m-tullius-were-consuls-the-next-year-nothing/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/there-is-an-old-saying-which-from-its-truth-has-become-proverbial/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/many-things-complicated-by-nature-are-restored-by-reason/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Bad beginnings, bad endings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/bad-beginnings-bad-endings/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“In ancient Greece more than one royal house was guilty of crime which became the stuff of tragedy: now Rome was to follow the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/in-ancient-greece-more-than-one-royal-house-was-guilty-of-crime-which/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“It is your duty,' he said, 'to recover your country not by gold but by the sword. You will be fighting with all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/it-is-your-duty-he-said-to-recover-your-country-not-by-gold-but-by/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [In difficult and desperate cases, the boldest counsels are the safest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/in-difficult-and-desperate-cases-the-boldest-counsels-are-the-safest/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“There is never any lack at Athens of tongues ready and willing to stir up the passions of the common people; this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/there-is-never-any-lack-at-athens-of-tongues-ready-and-willing-to/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [ “\[Rhodian delegation:\] Every city contains wicked citizens from time to time and an ignorant populace all the time.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/rhodian-delegation-every-city-contains-wicked-citizens-from-time-to/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Nowhere are our calculations more frequently upset than in war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/nowhere-are-our-calculations-more-frequently-upset-than-in-war/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Dignity is a matter which concerns only mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/dignity-is-a-matter-which-concerns-only-mankind/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-study-of-history-is-the-best-medicine-for-a-sick-mind-for-in/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [No man likes to be surpassed by those of this own level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/no-man-likes-to-be-surpassed-by-those-of-this-own-level/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) [Explore all 142 Livy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) ## More Faith quotes > [“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/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much absorbed in the cultivation of religion and so deeply imbued with the sense of their religious duties, that the sanctity of an oath had more power to control their lives than the fear of punishment for lawbreaking.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Livy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heavenly-powers-took-part-in-human/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Faith" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heavenly-powers-took-part-in-human/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/livy-3007_faith_believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heave_1279224.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Believing, as they now did, that the heavenly powers took part in human affairs, they became so much…” — Livy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Livy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Believing, as they now did, that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heavenly-powers-took-part-in-human/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/believing-as-they-now-did-that-the-heavenly-powers-took-part-in-human/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```