--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is by far the most elegant worship…" description: "\"It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting the Greek mythology. What with incense, pictures, statues, altars, shrines, relics, and the rea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/lord-byron-356_absolution_it-is-by-far-the-most-elegant-worship-ha_62110.jpg" --- # It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting… ![“It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting the Greek mythology. What with incense, pictures, statues, altars, shrines, relics, and the real presence, confession, absolution, - there is something sensible to grasp at. Besides, it leaves no possibility of doubt; for those who swallow…” quote by Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/lord-byron-356_absolution_it-is-by-far-the-most-elegant-worship-ha_62110.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/lord-byron-356_absolution_it-is-by-far-the-most-elegant-worship-ha_62110.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/lord-byron-356_absolution_it-is-by-far-the-most-elegant-worship-ha_62110.jpg) > “It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting the Greek mythology. What with incense, pictures, statues, altars, shrines, relics, and the real presence, confession, absolution, - there is something sensible to grasp at. Besides, it leaves no possibility of doubt; for those who swallow their Deity, really and truly, in transubstantiation, can hardly find any thing else otherwise than easy of digestion.” [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that traditional Christian rites, especially the Eucharist, provide a concrete, sensory experience of faith that leaves little room for doubt. **In simple terms:** Rituals make belief tangible. Key Takeaway Physical symbols reinforce conviction. Themes religion ritual faith sensory experience Mood assertive reflective Type theological argument philosophical observation When to use this quote - attending communion - visiting a shrine - participating in confession Key Concepts symbolism epistemology Practical Applications - use tangible symbols in personal practice - study the history of liturgy Questions to Reflect On - Can belief be genuine without physical symbols? - Do rituals ever become empty gestures? A Different Perspective The claim overlooks that many find meaning in abstract or non‑ritualistic spirituality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolution/) [Altars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altars/) [Catholicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholicism/) [Confession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession/) [Deities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deities/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Elegant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elegant/) [Greek myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek-myth/) [Greek mythology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek-mythology/) [Mythology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mythology/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Relics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relics/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) [Shrines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrines/) [Transubstantiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transubstantiation/) [Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worship/) ## Related quotes > [If you believe in the existence of fairies at the bottom of the garden you are deemed fit for the bin. If you believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-meades/if-you-believe-in-the-existence-of-fairies-at-the-bottom-of-the/) [Jonathan Meades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-meades/) > [What you see is the bread and the chalice; that is what your own eyes report to you. But what your faith obliges you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/what-you-see-is-the-bread-and-the-chalice-that-is-what-your-own-eyes/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Neither was there any heresy, or diversity of opinion, or disputing about the matter, till the pope had gathered a council to confirm this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-tyndale/neither-was-there-any-heresy-or-diversity-of-opinion-or-disputing/) [William Tyndale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-tyndale/) > [“The Massalians are not dualists but monarchians, and they have dealings with the infernal powers, and in fact some texts call them Borborites, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/the-massalians-are-not-dualists-but-monarchians-and-they-have/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Had Mr. Gibbon lived in France, Spain, or Italy, he might with the fame reason have ranked the doctrine of transubstantiation, and the worship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-priestley/had-mr-gibbon-lived-in-france-spain-or-italy-he-might-with-the-fame/) [Joseph Priestley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-priestley/) > [“In trying to find out what Bruno thought of his priesthood, we now have a serious problem which we did not have before. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bossy/in-trying-to-find-out-what-bruno-thought-of-his-priesthood-we-now/) John Bossy > ['Eat my flesh,' Jesus says, 'and drink my blood.' The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutrients, he delivers over his flesh and pours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clement-of-alexandria/eat-my-flesh-jesus-says-and-drink-my-blood-the-lord-supplies-us-with/) [Clement of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clement-of-alexandria/) > [“Difference in opinions has cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether the juice of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/difference-in-opinions-has-cost-many-millions-of-lives-for-instance/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“Surely we can only come to understand each other's beliefs by means of direct encounter and open, honest discussion. In the meantime, many free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-e-olson/surely-we-can-only-come-to-understand-each-other-s-beliefs-by-means/) [Roger E. Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-e-olson/) > [To live with the work and the letters of James Joyce was an enormous privilege and a daunting education. Yes, I came to admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-o-brien/to-live-with-the-work-and-the-letters-of-james-joyce-was-an-enormous/) [Edna O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-o-brien/) > [It is with artworks as it is with wine: it is much better when we do not need either one, when we stick with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-with-artworks-as-it-is-with-wine-it-is-much-better-when-we-do/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“One could say that Hopkins practiced transubstantiation in every poem. By mysterious talent, he changed plain element into reality sublime. He encountered a jumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-r-ellsberg/one-could-say-that-hopkins-practiced-transubstantiation-in-every-poem/) Margaret R. Ellsberg > [The president is the high priest of what sociologist Robert Bellah calls the 'American civil religion.' The president must invoke the name of God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/the-president-is-the-high-priest-of-what-sociologist-robert-bellah/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“bread and wine." These species must, therefore, be acci dents, and, having by Transubstantiation lost their con natural subjects, which cannot be supplied by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/bread-and-wine-these-species-must-therefore-be-acci-dents-and-having/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-the-baptist/behold-the-lamb-of-god-who-takes-away-the-sin-of-the-world/) [John the Baptist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-the-baptist/) ## More by Lord Byron > [A thousand years may scare form a state. An hour may lay it in ruins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/a-thousand-years-may-scare-form-a-state-an-hour-may-lay-it-in-ruins/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [To chase the glowing hours with flying feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/to-chase-the-glowing-hours-with-flying-feet/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Age shakes Athena's tower, but spares gray Marathon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/age-shakes-athena-s-tower-but-spares-gray-marathon/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/she-walks-in-beauty-like-the-night-of-cloudless-climes-and-starry/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [“We of the craft are all crazy. Some are affected by gaiety, others by melancholy, but all are more or less touched.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/we-of-the-craft-are-all-crazy-some-are-affected-by-gaiety-others-by/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Men love in haste, but they detest at leisure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/men-love-in-haste-but-they-detest-at-leisure/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [And the commencement of atonement is the sense of its necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/and-the-commencement-of-atonement-is-the-sense-of-its-necessity/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Self-love for ever creeps out, like a snake, to sting anything which happens to stumble upon it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/self-love-for-ever-creeps-out-like-a-snake-to-sting-anything-which/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Lord of himself; that heritage of woe!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/lord-of-himself-that-heritage-of-woe/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Here's a sigh to those who love me,And a smile to those who hate;And, whatever sky's above me,Here's a heart for every fate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/here-s-a-sigh-to-those-who-love-me-and-a-smile-to-those-who-hate-and/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [For most men (till by losing rendered sager), Will back their own opinions by a wager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/for-most-men-till-by-losing-rendered-sager-will-back-their-own/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [I should like to know who has been carried off, except poor dear me - I have been more ravished myself than anybody since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/i-should-like-to-know-who-has-been-carried-off-except-poor-dear-me-i/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [O thou beautiful And unimaginable ether! and Ye multiplying masses of increased And still increasing lights! what are ye? what Is this blue wilderness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/o-thou-beautiful-and-unimaginable-ether-and-ye-multiplying-masses-of/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [My turn of mind is so given to taking things in the absurd point of view, that it breaks out in spite of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/my-turn-of-mind-is-so-given-to-taking-things-in-the-absurd-point-of/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) [Explore all 647 Lord Byron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## More Absolution quotes > [I tell you, guilt dwells nowhere but in the eyes of the accuser. This men know even as they deny it, which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/i-tell-you-guilt-dwells-nowhere-but-in-the-eyes-of-the-accuser-this/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [“There's a price for absolution on this planet, and it's called penance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spider-robinson/there-s-a-price-for-absolution-on-this-planet-and-it-s-called-penance/) [Spider Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spider-robinson/) > [“There's absolution and purity to fucking that strips people back to their primal core.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-french/there-s-absolution-and-purity-to-fucking-that-strips-people-back-to/) [Kitty French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-french/) > [From sorrow to serenity, the truth is absolution, from sorrow to serenity, its on your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killswitch-engage/from-sorrow-to-serenity-the-truth-is-absolution-from-sorrow-to/) [Killswitch Engage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killswitch-engage/) > [“Being alone will show you who you really are, and if you cannot get-on positively as the sole master of your space in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/being-alone-will-show-you-who-you-really-are-and-if-you-cannot-get-on/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Our own acts are isolated and one act does not buy absolution for another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/our-own-acts-are-isolated-and-one-act-does-not-buy-absolution-for/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [“Time made apologies and absolution unnecessary. Time didn't really heal, it just made bad memories distant so that the brain couldn't recapture the lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amulya-malladi/time-made-apologies-and-absolution-unnecessary-time-didn-t-really/) [Amulya Malladi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amulya-malladi/) > [“Pause your opinions, debating and absolute knowing for long enough to conceive gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/pause-your-opinions-debating-and-absolute-knowing-for-long-enough-to/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Psychoanalysis is confession without absolution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/psychoanalysis-is-confession-without-absolution/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“I find something repulsive about the idea of vicarious redemption. I would not throw my numberless sins onto a scapegoat and expect them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-find-something-repulsive-about-the-idea-of-vicarious-redemption-i/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/it-is-the-confession-not-the-priest-that-gives-us-absolution/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [There is nothing absolute and final. If everything were ironclad, all the rules absolute and everything structured so no paradox or irony existed, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itzhak-bentov/there-is-nothing-absolute-and-final-if-everything-were-ironclad-all/) Itzhak Bentov > [The truth brings with it a great measure of absolution, always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-laing/the-truth-brings-with-it-a-great-measure-of-absolution-always/) [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) > [For one thing, the Catholic Church in particular has this one thing - confession - in which you could go, confess to a priest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/for-one-thing-the-catholic-church-in-particular-has-this-one-thing/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [“The principle of priestly absolution was not a major issue. The Roman Catholic Church has always taught that the priestly words Te absolvo (“I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/the-principle-of-priestly-absolution-was-not-a-major-issue-the-roman/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) [Browse all 89 Absolution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is by far the most elegant worship, hardly excepting the Greek mythology. 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