Children Quote by Mark Twain
“Missionarying was a better thing in those days than it is in ours. All you had to do was to cure the head savage´s sick daughter by a miracle- a miracle like the miracle of Lourdes in our day, for instance- and immediately that head savage was your convert, and filled to the eyes with a new convert´s enthusiasm. You could sit down and make yourself easy now. He would take the ax and convert the rest of the nation himself.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1884
Missionary work was once seen as a simple, miraculous solution to cultural conversion, but now it is more complex and problematic.
In simple terms: Missionary work used to be seen as easy and miraculous.
Recognize the complexities of cultural exchange.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- modern missionary work
- ethical debates
- cultural sensitivity
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we respect cultures while sharing beliefs?
- What responsibilities do missionaries have today?
Simplifies deep cultural interactions to miracles.