--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The poor wretches have convinced…" description: "\"The poor wretches have convinced themselves that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, by worshipping that crucified sophist and living ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/lucian-23536_acquire_the-poor-wretches-have-convinced-themsel_1667718.jpg" --- # The poor wretches have convinced themselves that they are… ![“The poor wretches have convinced themselves that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, by worshipping that crucified sophist and living under his laws...they receive these doctrines by tradition, without any definite evidence. So if any charlatan or trickster comes among them, he…” quote by Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/lucian-23536_acquire_the-poor-wretches-have-convinced-themsel_1667718.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/lucian-23536_acquire_the-poor-wretches-have-convinced-themsel_1667718.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/lucian-23536_acquire_the-poor-wretches-have-convinced-themsel_1667718.jpg) > “The poor wretches have convinced themselves that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, by worshipping that crucified sophist and living under his laws...they receive these doctrines by tradition, without any definite evidence. So if any charlatan or trickster comes among them, he quickly acquires wealth by imposing upon these simple people.” [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People cling to unproven doctrines, making them vulnerable to manipulation by charlatans. **In simple terms:** Blind faith without evidence invites exploitation. Key Takeaway Question traditions and seek evidence before belief. Themes faith tradition skepticism manipulation authority Mood skeptical cautious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - religious debates - political rhetoric - education curricula - community decision making Key Concepts critical thinking philosophy of religion social influence propaganda truth seeking Questions to Reflect On - How do you distinguish genuine wisdom from deception? - What role does evidence play in shaping belief? A Different Perspective Some traditions provide social cohesion despite lack of evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [Tricksters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tricksters/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [TEF is predicated on logic, a simple wager that every human faces: If a reasoning human being loves and values life, they will want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoltan-istvan/tef-is-predicated-on-logic-a-simple-wager-that-every-human-faces-if-a/) [Zoltan Istvan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoltan-istvan/) > [What do I have to say to the universe? A soul ought to have something to say to the universe if it's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-s-tepper/what-do-i-have-to-say-to-the-universe-a-soul-ought-to-have-something/) [Sheri S. Tepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-s-tepper/) > [He was beautiful, that was always affirmed, but his beauty was hard to fix or to see, for he was always glimmering, flickering, melting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/he-was-beautiful-that-was-always-affirmed-but-his-beauty-was-hard-to/) [A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/) > [Trickster, love will be the end of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buckley/trickster-love-will-be-the-end-of-you/) [Michael Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buckley/) > [Everything depends on whether we have for opponents those French tricksters or those daring rascals, the English. I prefer the English. Frequently their daring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manfred-von-richthofen/everything-depends-on-whether-we-have-for-opponents-those-french/) [Manfred von Richthofen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manfred-von-richthofen/) > [Revolt in whatever way we want, with the spontaneity of the London rioters, with the certainty and willingness to die of religious fundamentalists or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-brand/revolt-in-whatever-way-we-want-with-the-spontaneity-of-the-london/) [Russell Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-brand/) > [The trickster's function is to break taboos, create mischief, stir things up. In the end, the trickster gives people what they really want, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-trickster-s-function-is-to-break-taboos-create-mischief-stir/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The trickster, the riddler, the keeper of balance, he of the many faces who finds life in death and who fears no evil; he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/the-trickster-the-riddler-the-keeper-of-balance-he-of-the-many-faces/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [The gods in Yoruba mythology are not remote at all. They're benign, they're malign, they are mischievous, like Eshu for instance, tricksters, rascally, fornicators,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/the-gods-in-yoruba-mythology-are-not-remote-at-all-they-re-benign/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [To live On means not yours--be brave in silks and laces, Gallant in steeds; splendid in banquets; all Not yours. Given, uninherited, unpaid for;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/to-live-on-means-not-yours-be-brave-in-silks-and-laces-gallant-in/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [The art of a news reporter is to learn how to lull a victim, because all good reporters are confidence tricksters in embryo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-tangye/the-art-of-a-news-reporter-is-to-learn-how-to-lull-a-victim-because/) [Derek Tangye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-tangye/) > [The white man is going to keep you integration-minded Negroes cooped up here in America, and when you discover that the white man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-white-man-is-going-to-keep-you-integration-minded-negroes-cooped/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [All gods are tricksters, and war gods worst of any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-morris/all-gods-are-tricksters-and-war-gods-worst-of-any/) [Janet Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-morris/) > [“Con men and tricksters run the world. Rascals rule. And do you know why? because they are hungier than we are. because they know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/con-men-and-tricksters-run-the-world-rascals-rule-and-do-you-know-why/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [This is a gathering of Lovers. In this gathering there is no high, no low, no smart, no ignorant, no special assembly, no grand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/this-is-a-gathering-of-lovers-in-this-gathering-there-is-no-high-no/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## More by Lucian > [I was still more concerned (a preference which you may be far from resenting) to strike a blow for Epicurus, that great man whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/i-was-still-more-concerned-a-preference-which-you-may-be-far-from/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The truth is hidden from us. Even if a mere piece of luck brings us straight to it, we shall have no grounded conviction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-truth-is-hidden-from-us-even-if-a-mere-piece-of-luck-brings-us/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [How gracious are the gods in bestowing high positions; and how reluctant are they to insure them when given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/how-gracious-are-the-gods-in-bestowing-high-positions-and-how/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The world is fleeting; all things pass away; Or is it we that pass and they that stay?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-world-is-fleeting-all-things-pass-away-or-is-it-we-that-pass-and/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [Everybody dies. Some just need a little help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/everybody-dies-some-just-need-a-little-help/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The lips are closed, for the dancer has plenty of other voices at his service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-lips-are-closed-for-the-dancer-has-plenty-of-other-voices-at-his/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The historian's one task is to tell the thing as it happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-historian-s-one-task-is-to-tell-the-thing-as-it-happened/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The American soldier demonstrated that, properly equipped, trained and led, he has no superior among all the armies of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-american-soldier-demonstrated-that-properly-equipped-trained-and/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [Be grateful. By slaying you now, I spare you an eternity of torment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/be-grateful-by-slaying-you-now-i-spare-you-an-eternity-of-torment/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [Wise is the person at either end. Who can in due measure spare as well as spend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/wise-is-the-person-at-either-end-who-can-in-due-measure-spare-as-well/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [Dancing is as old as love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/dancing-is-as-old-as-love/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [The effort only shifted me from the frying-pan into the fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-effort-only-shifted-me-from-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [Death is a mercy, and I have enough mercy to go around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/death-is-a-mercy-and-i-have-enough-mercy-to-go-around/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [There is no happiness without tears, no life without death. Beware! I am going to make you cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/there-is-no-happiness-without-tears-no-life-without-death-beware-i-am/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [It is not lawful or proper for you to know everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/it-is-not-lawful-or-proper-for-you-to-know-everything/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) [Explore all 25 Lucian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) ## More Acquire quotes > [Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/most-people-seek-after-what-they-do-not-possess-and-are-enslaved-by/) [Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [This was Shakespeare's form ; Who walk'd in every path of human life, Felt every passion ; and to all mankind Doth now, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/this-was-shakespeare-s-form-who-walk-d-in-every-path-of-human-life/) [Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/) > [Wasn't Saddam destroyed? Wasn't Gaddafi liquidated? Didn't Milosevic go to the Hague? All true. But Stalin survived. Kim Jong-un isn't doing too badly, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/wasn-t-saddam-destroyed-wasn-t-gaddafi-liquidated-didn-t-milosevic-go/) [Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/) > [The best way for women to acquire knowledge is from conversation with a father, a brother, or a friend, in the way of family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-letitia-barbauld/the-best-way-for-women-to-acquire-knowledge-is-from-conversation-with/) [Anna Letitia Barbauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-letitia-barbauld/) > [Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do anything, believe anything in order to acquire it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/have-you-ever-wanted-something-so-badly-that-you-would-do-anything/) [Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/) Peter Martins > [You can't know it all. No matter how smart you are, no matter how comprehensive your education, no matter how wide ranging your experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/you-can-t-know-it-all-no-matter-how-smart-you-are-no-matter-how/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In the late 1950s a major topic under discussion was whether Canada should acquire nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/in-the-late-1950s-a-major-topic-under-discussion-was-whether-canada/) [John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/) > [Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-harner/shamanism-is-a-path-of-knowledge-not-of-faith-and-that-knowledge/) [Michael Harner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-harner/) Browse all 1,020 Acquire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The poor wretches have convinced themselves that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, by worshipping that crucified sophist and living under his laws...they receive these doctrines by tradition, without any definite evidence. 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