Age Quote by Ludwig Feuerbach
“The present age ... prefers the sign to the thing signified, the copy to the original, fancy to reality, the appearance to the essence ... for in these days illusion only is sacred, truth profane.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Essence of Christianity, 1841
Society values symbols and appearances over genuine reality, making illusion revered and truth disregarded.
In simple terms: We favor signs over what they represent.
Key Takeaway
Question deeper truths beyond surface appearances.
Themes
philosophy
culture
truth
illusion
appearance
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- media consumption
- advertising
- political rhetoric
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
semiotics
authenticity
modernity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish authentic meaning from mere symbols?
- What consequences arise when truth is devalued?
A Different Perspective
Illusions can sometimes protect people from harsh realities.
![“[T]he present age, which prefers the sign to the thing signified, the copy to the original[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/314/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_agnosticism_t-he-present-age-which-prefers-the-sign_596713.jpg)
![“[T]ruth is considered profane, and only illusion is sacred” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0df/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_illusion_t-ruth-is-considered-profane-and-only-il_2142772.jpg)
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Religion annexes to its doctrines a curse and a blessing … Blessed is he that believeth, cursed is he that believeth not. Thus it appeals not to reason, but to feeling, … to the passions of hope and fear. … [T]he fear of hell urges me to believe. Even supposing my belief to be in its origin free…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_belief_religion-annexes-to-its-doctrines-a-curs_35960.jpg)
![“[T]o think God is therefore to affirm what God is, to establish the being of God as an act. That God is thought, cognised, is essential; that this tree is thought, is to the tree accidental, unessential. … [H]ow is it possible that God – if he is to exist for us, to be an object to us – must…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef5/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_infinite_t-o-think-god-is-therefore-to-affirm-wha_219124.jpg)
![“The essence of faith … is the idea that that which man wishes actually is: he wishes to be immortal, therefore he is immortal; he wishes for the existence of a being who can do everything which is impossible to Nature and reason, therefore such a being exists[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb8/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_the-essence-of-faith-is-the-idea-that-th_247786.jpg)
![“[H]eavenly personality, or the perpetuation of human personality in heaven is nothing else than personality released from all earthly encumbrances and limitations[.] [H]ere we are men, there gods[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_clinging-to-self_h-eavenly-personality-or-the-perpetuatio_340334.jpg)
![“[A]lthough the deeds opposed to love which mark Christian religious history, are in accordance with Christianity, and its antagonists are therefore right in imputing to it the horrible actions resulting from dogmatic creeds; those deeds nevertheless at the same time contradict Christianity…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ab/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_accepting-love_a-lthough-the-deeds-opposed-to-love-whic_414411.jpg)
