--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The epoch of doubt and transition during…" description: "\"The epoch of doubt and transition during which the Greeks passed from the dim fancies of mythology to the fierce light of science was the age of Pericl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/383/lord-acton-3040_accomplished_the-epoch-of-doubt-and-transition-during_766107.png" --- # The epoch of doubt and transition during which the Greeks… ![“The epoch of doubt and transition during which the Greeks passed from the dim fancies of mythology to the fierce light of science was the age of Pericles, and the endeavour to substitute certain truth for the prescriptions of impaired authorities, which was then beginning to absorb the energies of…” quote by Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/383/lord-acton-3040_accomplished_the-epoch-of-doubt-and-transition-during_766107.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/383/lord-acton-3040_accomplished_the-epoch-of-doubt-and-transition-during_766107.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/383/lord-acton-3040_accomplished_the-epoch-of-doubt-and-transition-during_766107.png) > “The epoch of doubt and transition during which the Greeks passed from the dim fancies of mythology to the fierce light of science was the age of Pericles, and the endeavour to substitute certain truth for the prescriptions of impaired authorities, which was then beginning to absorb the energies of the Greek intellect, is the grandest movement in the profane annals of mankind, for to it we owe, even after the immeasurable progress accomplished by Christianity, much of our philosophy and far the better part of the political knowledge we possess.” [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The shift from myth to rational inquiry in ancient Greece, led by Pericles, laid foundations for modern philosophy and politics despite later Christian influence. **In simple terms:** Greek rationalism sparked lasting philosophical and political ideas. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of questioning authority. Themes philosophy politics history science Mood reflective inspired Type historical analytical When to use this quote - education reform - public policy - scientific research - civic discourse Key Concepts rationalism intellectual progress cultural shift Questions to Reflect On - How can we foster critical thinking today? - What lessons do ancient transitions teach modern governance? A Different Perspective Modern societies still grapple with entrenched beliefs that resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Endeavour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavour/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Epoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epoch/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Mythology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mythology/) [Pericles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pericles/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Transition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transition/) ## Related quotes > [There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts. The age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/there-is-a-connection-hard-to-explain-logically-but-easy-to-feel/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [“I thought of Pericles' speech to the families of the Athenian war dead, in which he said, "What you leave behind is not what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-thought-of-pericles-speech-to-the-families-of-the-athenian-war-dead/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [I've never read it because I'd like to see one Shakespeare play that I don't know what happens. I close my ears and hum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-braugher/i-ve-never-read-it-because-i-d-like-to-see-one-shakespeare-play-that/) [Andre Braugher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-braugher/) > [“my Clodius, how little your countrymen know of the true versatility of a Pericles, of the true witcheries of an Aspasia!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton/my-clodius-how-little-your-countrymen-know-of-the-true-versatility-of/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton/) > [The chief glory of a woman is not to be talked of, said Pericles, himself a much-talked-of-man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/the-chief-glory-of-a-woman-is-not-to-be-talked-of-said-pericles/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“Pericles, he reflected, was a sad case. 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Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) ## More by Lord Acton > [The history of institutions is often a history of deception and illusions; for their virtue depends on the ideas that produce and on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-history-of-institutions-is-often-a-history-of-deception-and/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [A liberal is only a bundle of prejudices until he has mastered, has understood, experienced the philosophy of Conservatism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/a-liberal-is-only-a-bundle-of-prejudices-until-he-has-mastered-has/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Every class is unfit to govern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/every-class-is-unfit-to-govern/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/fanaticism-displays-itself-in-the-masses-but-the-masses-were-rarely/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [In England Parliament is above the law. 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A man is seldom better than his word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/character-is-tested-by-true-sentiments-more-than-by-conduct-a-man-is/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/liberty-and-good-government-do-not-exclude-each-other-and-there-are/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [The test of liberty is the position and security of minorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-test-of-liberty-is-the-position-and-security-of-minorities/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [The common vice of democracy is disregard for morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-common-vice-of-democracy-is-disregard-for-morality/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Feudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/feudalism-made-land-the-measure-and-the-master-of-all-things/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [“power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutley”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/power-corrupts-absolute-power-corrupts-absolutley/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [There are many things the government cant do, many good purposes it must renounce. 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This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [... even the most sublimely accomplished non-stop talker can't consistently please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/even-the-most-sublimely-accomplished-non-stop-talker-can-t/) [J. D. 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