--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think too many people presume to read…" description: "\"I think too many people presume to read the divine Scriptures and fall into such terrors as this,' said Patricius sternly. 'Those who presume on their ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_babe_i-think-too-many-people-presume-to-read_1503417.jpg" --- # I think too many people presume to read the divine… ![“I think too many people presume to read the divine Scriptures and fall into such terrors as this,' said Patricius sternly. 'Those who presume on their learning will learn, I trust, to listen to their priests for the true interpretations.' The Merlin smiled gently. 'I cannot join you in that wish…” quote by Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_babe_i-think-too-many-people-presume-to-read_1503417.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_babe_i-think-too-many-people-presume-to-read_1503417.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_babe_i-think-too-many-people-presume-to-read_1503417.jpg) > “I think too many people presume to read the divine Scriptures and fall into such terrors as this,' said Patricius sternly. 'Those who presume on their learning will learn, I trust, to listen to their priests for the true interpretations.' The Merlin smiled gently. 'I cannot join you in that wish, brother. I am dedicated to the belief that it is God's will that all men should strive for wisdom in themselves, not look to it from some other. Babes, perhaps, must have their food chewed for them by a nurse, but men may drink and eat of wisdom for themselves.” [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage critiques reliance on external authority for spiritual truth, urging personal pursuit of wisdom instead of passive acceptance of others' interpretations. **In simple terms:** Seek wisdom yourself, not just follow others. Key Takeaway Cultivate independent understanding. Themes wisdom authority individualism Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal study - religious education - critical thinking - spiritual practice Key Concepts spirituality interpretation self-reliance Questions to Reflect On - How can one balance personal insight with communal teachings? - What risks arise from rejecting all external guidance? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on personal study can lead to misinterpretation without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Dedicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedicated/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [God 's will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-will/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [King arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-arthur/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nurse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurse/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Scriptures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptures/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Whoever, therefore, thinks that he understands the divine scriptures or any part of them so that it does not build on the double love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/whoever-therefore-thinks-that-he-understands-the-divine-scriptures-or/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/so-anyone-who-thinks-that-he-has-understood-the-divine-scriptures-or/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [ The mysteries of the faith are not to \[be\] explained rashly to anyone. 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Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [“That's exactly why I never liked King Arthur's Guinevere. She screws up (pardon the pun), sleeps with her husband's best friend, causes the fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-c-cast-2/that-s-exactly-why-i-never-liked-king-arthur-s-guinevere-she-screws/) [P. C. Cast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-c-cast-2/) > [You don't have to believe that there was a King Arthur to get the significance of those stories, but Christians say we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/you-don-t-have-to-believe-that-there-was-a-king-arthur-to-get-the/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) ## More by Marion Zimmer Bradley > [I do tend to lose track since the kids are out of school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/i-do-tend-to-lose-track-since-the-kids-are-out-of-school/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“this is the great secret, which was known to all educated men in our day: that by what men think, we create the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/this-is-the-great-secret-which-was-known-to-all-educated-men-in-our/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“He was guarded behind a hundred fences of reserve and anger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/he-was-guarded-behind-a-hundred-fences-of-reserve-and-anger/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“My love for you is a prayer, she thought. 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I lost her, I let her go--I cannot be free, I must be chained inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/beat-me-instead-she-cried-it-s-not-darren-s-fault-i-lost-her-i-let/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“For this is the thing the priests do not know, with their One God and One Truth; that there is no such thing as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/for-this-is-the-thing-the-priests-do-not-know-with-their-one-god-and/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [I have neither talent or taste for kingship, cousin. I am a warrior, and to dwell always in one place and live at court…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/i-have-neither-talent-or-taste-for-kingship-cousin-i-am-a-warrior-and/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [Fear is a way of not allowing yourself to choose freely what you will do next; a way of letting your body's reflexes, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/fear-is-a-way-of-not-allowing-yourself-to-choose-freely-what-you-will/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“But I am Niniane of Avalon, and I account to no man on this earth for what I do with what is mine --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/but-i-am-niniane-of-avalon-and-i-account-to-no-man-on-this-earth-for/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“ They set down all their knowledge on bits of leather or waxed wood or tablets of stone and think that is wisdom. 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'Those who presume on their learning will learn, I trust, to listen to their priests for the true interpretations.' The Merlin smiled gently. 'I cannot join you in that wish, brother. I am dedicated to the belief that it is God's will that all men should strive for wisdom in themselves, not look to it from some other. 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